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False Shark Ray

7/16/2018

 
"What the heck is a False Shark Ray?" you must be asking. To be honest, so were we! But Rhynchorhina mauritaniensis is a real animal - recently discovered in 2016!

If the scientific name gives any hint, they are found in the North-East Atlantic off of... you guessed it. Mauritania! A benthic species that gets up to at least 2.24 metres in total length (TL), they probably have a restricted range as the few specimens caught were done so in shallow water on a sandy shoal. They may have a similar diet  other wedgefish (invertebrates, crustaceans, small bony fish) but we just don't know yet.
​
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Rhynchorhina mauritaniensis sp. nov., holotype MNHN 2003-610, female 2040 mm TL, Specimen freshly caught at Iwik on 6th Febrary 2003 (Photo B. Valadou)
​Usually a dark grey (or green-brown) color on top, their underbelly is a creamy color. They sort of remind me of whale sharks with the smattering of white dots throughout its body, almost looking like a constellation. A rounded, blunt snout makes it different from other wedgefish, and they have thorns on the ridges above their eyes, spiracles, shoulders, and the mid-line of their back. 

​The IUCN has not assessed this animal.

EVER HEARD OF THE ANIMAL?

GLOSSARY

  • Crustaceans: Group of animals with a hard exoskeleton, jointed legs and segmented body.
  • Invertebrates: Animals with no backbone (i.e. crustaceans, jellyfish, corals, sea anemones).
  • IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature.​​

SAY HELLO!

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    Author

    TFUI Founder Melissa C. Marquez is author of all animal bios and "Behind the Fins" segments.
    ​
    A proud #LatinainSTEM, Marquez is a marine biologist who focuses on shark habitat use and movements; she is also a science communicator (follow her on Twitter) who focuses on diverse Chondrichthyan education and who focuses on the media coverage of sharks.
    You can learn more about her on her website.

    SEE MELISSA'S TEDx TALK HERE:
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  • About TFUI
    • TFUI Origins >
      • About TFUI Founder Melissa
      • TFUI Officers
    • Take a Bite
    • Get Involved
    • FAQ
  • Bite Blog
  • Education
    • The Sharks >
      • Shark Anatomy
    • The Skates & Rays
    • The Chimaeras
    • Why Environments Matter
    • The Threats
    • Open Access >
      • Behind the Fins: Interview series
      • Bite into Research
      • Shark Bites: Book Recommendations
      • Sustainable Seafood Apps
  • Fins United
    • Shark Party Ideas
    • Little Fins Nursery
    • Big Fins Reef
  • Contact