Pseudobatos productus
(Ayres, 1854)
Vernacular names
English : Shovelnose guitarfish
French : Poisson-guitare spatule
Classification
Class : Elasmobranchii
Order : Rhinopristiformes
Family : Rhinobatidae
Notes : No subspecies known.
Identification
Adults can reach a total length of 1.70 m for a weight of 9.8 kg. Body disk is roughly triangular in shape, longer than its width. Row of small horns from eyes to tail. Brownish to beige coloration with indistinct dark blotches on back and tail.
Range and habitat
This species is endemic to an area of Eastern Pacific Ocean, going from San Francisco to Gulf of California and western Mexican coasts. Lives on sandy and muddy bottoms, estuaries, bays, near rocky reefs, down to 90 m.
Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species occurrence is seasonal. Although it appears still locally common, it may be threatened by overfishing, especially near Mexican coasts.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known
Observation
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