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Pygmy thornback skate

5/7/2018

 
Picture
Source: National Fish Collection, CSIRO.
The pygmy thornback skate (Dentiraja flindersi) is a rare and small (up to 33 cm total length) animal that is endemic to South Australian waters. They are a light brown-yellow color with lighter yellow around their disc.
​
Scientists believe these animals get no deeper than 54 metres and tend to stay below 27 metres deep. Due to the pygmy thornback skate being an endemic animal to the gulfs of South Australia, they are a good "indicator" animal to let people know the health of the overall ecosystems there. Little is known about this animal, including the population size or status (which is why the IUCN has assessed them as Data Deficient). 

This animal is caught as bycatch quite frequently in its proposed range, however it is mostly the South Australian prawn trawl fisheries which are managed by limited licences, vessel and gear restrictions as well as seasonal closures and rotation of trawling grounds. Nothing else is known about these animals.

DID YOU KNOW THIS ALL BEFORE? WHAT DID YOU LEARN THAT'S NEW?

GLOSSARY

  • Bycatch: The part of a fishery’s catch that is made up of non-target species. 
  • Commercial fishery: The activity of catching fish and other seafood for profit.​
  • Endemic: Native to a specific region or environment and not occurring naturally anywhere else.
  • IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature.​​

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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