Taiwanese wedgefish

6/6/2018

From: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/viewFile/zootaxa.3752.1.11/6184

Rhynchobatus immaculatus. It comes from the Latin 'im' meaning 'not' and 'macula' for spot or mark. "Not spot?" Doesn't make sense, huh? Well, this actually comes from the lack of a dark pectoral marking on this wedgefish that is present in other Rhynchobatus species.

They are a dark-green brown color with a few white spots scattered about, and have a dark bar over their eyes. Most likely less than 1.50 metres total length (TL). #Finfact: They are described from a small collection of specimens obtained from fish markets in northern Taiwan! They are found in the north-west pacific and are a benthic species found in the shallower waters of continental shelves. Their diet is unknown, but they probably eat crustaceans and small fishes like their relatives.

Although they look similar to the roughnose wedgefish (Rhynchobatus compagnoi), they lack spines on their snout! They have not been assessed by the IUCN.

EVER HEARD OF THE ANIMAL?

GLOSSARY

Crustaceans: Group of animals with a hard exoskeleton, jointed legs and segmented body.

Commercial fishery: The activity of catching fish and other seafood for profit.
Continental shelf: Extends from a continent underwater, resulting in a shallow-water area.
Continental slope: The steep slope from a continental shelf to the ocean floor; usually around 20 km (12.4 miles) wide and made up of mud and silt substrate. It is an ideal area for deep sea fishing.
IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature.