Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

Rhynchobatidae

Rhynchobatidae

Rhinobatidae (<I>Trygonorrhina</I>

Rhinobatidae (Trygonorrhina

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CAAB: 37027000

Family RHINOBATIDAE

Fiddler Rays, Guitarfishes, Shovelnose Rays


Compiler and date details

26 April 2011 - Douglass F. Hoese, John R. Paxton & Jennifer E. Gates

Introduction

Members of the Rhinobatidae are commonly known as guitarfishes, fiddler rays, shovelnose rays and shark rays. About 40 species in four genera are currently recognised from all three oceans. Eight species in four genera have been recorded from Australian waters (Last & Stevens 1994, 2009).

Rhinobatids are benthic in shallow marine waters. Recorded food items include fishes, crustaceans and molluscs. Although these fishes are rather flattened with a ventral mouth, the tail is thick. They bear two dorsal fins and one caudal fin, and lack venomous spines. Maximum size is almost 3 m.

Rhinobatids have not been reviewed since the works of Fowler (1941) and Bigelow & Schroeder (1953). Nelson (1994), Compagno & Last (1999) and Nelson (2006) are followed here in separating the Rhinobatidae and Rhinidae.

Compagno & Last (1999) suggested that records of Rhinobatos granulatus Cuvier, 1829 from Australia need confirmation. Most, if not all, records appear to be based on misidentifications of Glaucostegus typus.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
16-Apr-2012 16-Apr-2012 MODIFIED
10-Mar-2010 10-Mar-2010 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)