Rajella ravidula (Hulley, 1970)
Smoothback skate

Family:  Rajidae (Skates)
Max. size:  79.2 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 496 - 1477 m
Distribution:  Southeast Atlantic: known only from the three type specimens collected from off the west coast of South Africa and one record from off Morocco.
Diagnosis:  Long snout, small eyes, and a thick disc; tail about as long as body; moderate-sized conspicuous light thorns in 2 prominent rows from shoulders to 1st dorsal fin, no or few mid-dorsal thorns, and no thorns on snout (Ref. 5578). Medium grey to purplish-brown dorsally, white ventrally but dusky on disc margins, around vent and on underside of tail (Ref. 5578).
Biology:  Inhabits the upper slope (Ref. 5578). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 5578. Oviparous (Ref. 50449). Eggs have horn-like projections on the shell (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 April 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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