Brochiraja spinifera (Garrick & Paul, 1974)
Prickly deep-sea skate

Family:  Arhynchobatidae (Softnose skates)
Max. size:  80 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 170 - 1460 m
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: endemic to New Zealand.
Diagnosis:  Dark brown in color (Ref. 26346). Wing tips rounded; snout shorter than most other skates; skin smooth, soft and loose, with band of prickles on hind body and tail (Ref. 26346).
Biology:  Inhabits the continental slope (Ref. 26346). Oviparous (Ref. 50449). Eggs have horn-like projections on the shell (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 23 June 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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