Shovelnose guitarfish

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Shovelnose guitarfish
Shovelnose guitarfish.JPG
Dorsal view
ShovelnoseGuitarfish01.JPG
Ventral view

Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Rhinopristiformes
Family: Rhinobatidae
Genus: Rhinobatos
Species:
R. productus
Binomial name
Rhinobatos productus
Ayres, 1854
World map with blue coloring along the coastal area of California reaching to Mazatlan
Range of R. productus

The shovelnose guitarfish, Rhinobatos productus, is a ray in the family Rhinobatidae.[1][2] It becomes mature at an estimated seven to eight years old. Males are between 90 and 100 cm long, while females are around 99 cm at that age.[3] The ray can live up to 11 years, and full-grown sizes are around 120 cm for males, and females reach 137 cm.[4] They range from central California south to the Gulf of California.[5] Morphological and genetic variations occur in the mitochondrial DNA in those found in the Gulf of California, evidencing their isolation from the rest. Because of this, the conservation of this species must be carefully managed to preserve the biological diversity.[6] The shovelnose is considered to be a primitively developed ray, with many features of both sharks and rays.

Rhinobatos productus has magnetic particles in its vestibular receptors, and the magnetic particles believed to be exogenous in origin. The magnetic particles' spatial arrangement may aid in the sensitivity of the receptors to movements.[7]

The visual system of the shovelnose is more extensive and developed than other Elasmobranchii, with multiple large projections connecting to the brain. Almost the entire dorsal and ventral hypothalamus is connected to the visual system, but still maintains a similar lack of differentiation as with sharks.[8]

This species has had one documented case of an attack on a diver when a male guitarfish was interrupted during mating.[citation needed]

The shovelnose guitarfish was first considered to be a shark because of its dorsal fin's shape.

Human interaction[]

Recreation[]

This species can be caught from the surf, within shallow California waters. Sand crabs, various bivalves such as mussels, and other live or dead bait are recommended for catching the fish.[9]

As food[]

The common cuts of meat used from the shovelnose guitarfish are the trunk, tail, and loin, mostly from mature individuals. It has been referred to as "shark steak" within markets, and is usually served fried; with other iterations such as cocktails and kebabs being prepared. It is sold as fish and chips in Santa Barbara, California on piers. Dried specimens of all sizes are also frequently sold in shell shops throughout central to Baja California.[3][10]

Gallery[]

  • Shovelnose guitarfish

References[]

  1. ^ "Rhinobatos productus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 24 January 2006.
  2. ^ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2005). "Rhinobatos productus" in FishBase. August 2005 version.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Timmons, M and Bray, R. Age, growth, and sexual maturity of shovelnose guitarfish, Rhinobatos productus. Fishery Bulletin 95:349–359 (1997).
  4. ^ Timmons, M Bray RN (2004). "Age, growth, and sexual maturity of shovelnose guitarfish, Rhinobatos productus (Ayres)". Fishery Bulletin. 95 (2): 349–359.
  5. ^ Márquez; et al. (2005). "Rhinobatos productus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2005. Retrieved 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is near threatened
  6. ^ J. Sandoval-Castillo; A. Rocha-Olivares; C. Villavicencio-Garayzar; E. Balart (2004). "Cryptic isolation of Gulf of California shovelnose guitarfish evidenced by mitochondrial DNA" (PDF). Marine Biology. 145 (5): 983–988. doi:10.1007/s00227-004-1378-7. S2CID 86751007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-25.
  7. ^ D.P. O’Leary; J. Vilches-Troya; R.F. Dunn & A. Campos-Muñoz (1981). "Magnets in guitarfish vestibular receptors". Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 37 (1): 86–88. doi:10.1007/BF01965587. PMID 7202681. S2CID 19317589.
  8. ^ Ebbesson, S.O.E. & Meyer, D.L. (1980). "The visual system of the guitar fish (Rhinobatos productus)". Cell and Tissue Research. 206 (2): 243–250. doi:10.1007/bf00232768. PMID 7388890. S2CID 9273148.
  9. ^ "California Marine Sportfish Identification: Sharks", California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  10. ^ "Shovelnose guitarfish", Sea Grant California. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
Retrieved from ""