Benthobatis yangi Carvalho, Compagno & Ebert, 2003
Taiwanese blind electric ray

Family:  Narcinidae (Numbfishes)
Max. size:  21.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range - 300 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Taiwan.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished from all its congeners by the following unique set of characters: both dorsal and ventral surfaces dark brown to purplish-black, with irregular whitish blotches ventrally; narrow nasoral region, with relatively small mouth, slender jaws and shallow circumoral groove; relatively small spiracles; very narrow gill-slits; the second dorsal fin is slightly larger than first, with more slanted anterior margin, broadly rounded apex, and convex posterior margin; low caudal fin, relatively elongated; interdorsal distance greater than distance between second dorsal and caudal fin; suprascapula very narrow and not arched posteriorly; males sexually mature between 19.1-21.5 cm TL; relatively high number of caudal vertebral centra (38-46), total vertebral centra (116-120) (Ref. 75959).
Biology:  A benthic species found on continental slope. Mainly feeds on polychaete worms (Ref. 114953). Stomach contents include mud and the partial remains of an unidentified polychaete worm, plus unattached polychaete bristles and unidentified small white objects (Ref. 75959). Maturity size of males at 16-19 cm TL (Ref. 114953).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 29 August 2019 (A2d) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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