Family TORPEDINIDAE

Torpedinidae: Torpedo

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Introduction

Members of the Torpedinidae occur in all the oceans of the world; two genera and at least 22 species are recognised (Last & Stevens 2009, Nelson et al. 2016). In Australian waters, one species is represented, although previously three species were recognised (Last et al. 2016).
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Like narcinids, torpedinids are sluggish bottom dwellers found from the intertidal zone to more than 1000 m. They are very thick in the body where the vertical columns of cells comprising the electric organs are located. The powerful electric shock generated by torpedo rays is used both for defence and to stun prey. The skin lacks denticles and the short tail lacks spines. Maximum size for the family is 1.8 m.

The torpedo rays have not been reviewed comprehensively. McKay (1966) and Carvalho et al. (2016) reviewed the Australian species. Last & Stevens (1994) and Compagno & Last (1999) placed the genus Hypnos in a separate monotypic family Hypnidae which we follow here. Hypnos was retained in the Torpedinidae by Nelson (2006) and Nelson et al 2016..

Excluded Taxa

Misidentifications

TORPEDINIDAE: Torpedo tokionis (Tanaka, 1908) [misidentification - Australian records based on Tetronarce nobiliana see CAAB]

General References

Carvalho, M.R. de, Last, P.R. & Séret, B. 2016. Torpedo Rays. Family Torpedinidae. pp. 184-203 in Last, P.R., White, W.T., Carvalho, M.R. de, Séret, B., Stehmann, M.F.W. & Naylor, G.J.P. (eds.). Rays of the World. Clayton South, Victoria : CSIRO Publishing 790 pp.

Compagno, L.J.V. & Last, P.R. 1999. Families Narkidae, Hypnidae, Torpedinidae. pp. 1443-1451 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068.

Last, P.R., White, W.T., Carvalho, M.R. de, Séret, B., Stehmann, M.F.W. & Naylor, G.J.P. (eds.) 2016. Rays of the World. Clayton South, Victoria : CSIRO Publishing 790 pp.

Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Canberra : CSIRO Australia 513 pp. 84 pls.

McKay, R.J. 1966. Studies on Western Australian sharks and rays of the families Scyliorhinidae, Urolophidae and Torpedinidae. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 49(3): 65-82 figs 1-6

Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp.

Nelson, J.S., Grande, T.C. & Wilson, M.V.H. 2016. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons 5, 752 pp.

Common Name References

Compagno, L.J.V. & Last, P.R. 1999. Families Narkidae, Hypnidae, Torpedinidae. pp. 1443-1451 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [1449] (FAO) (Torpedos)

Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Canberra : CSIRO Australia 513 pp. 84 pls. [372] (as Hypnidae) (Coffin Rays, Torpedo Rays)

History of changes