Mediterranean starry ray (Raja asterias) fish species and information / pictures of Mediterranean starry ray - Raja asterias

Mediterranean starry ray (Raja asterias) fish species information

Scientific Name
Raja asterias

Common Name
Mediterranean starry ray

Biology
Inhabit inshore waters (Ref. 3167). Depth range to 170 m (Ref. 04426), and from 333-343 m in the eastern Ionian Sea (Ref. 56504). Feed on all kinds of benthic animals (Ref. 3167). Oviparous. Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother (Ref. 205). Eggs are oblong capsules with stiff pointed horns at the corners deposited in sandy or muddy flats (Ref. 205). Egg capsules are 4.5 cm long and 3.0 cm wide (Ref. 41304).

Classification

Classified By
Delaroche, 1809
Class
Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)
Order
Skates and Rays (Rajiformes)
Family
Skates (Rajidae)

Distribution

Region
Eastern Atlantic
Distribution
Eastern Atlantic: endemic to the Mediterranean but may spread to the Strait of Gibraltar, northern Morocco and possibly south to Mauritania.
Range
45°N - 35°N

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
343 m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 343 m (Ref. 56504)
Trophic Level
3.5 s.e. 0.37 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
70.0 cm
Common Length
Unknown cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
Vulnerability
Moderate to high vulnerability (50 of 100)
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Least Concern (LC)