Descriptions of skate egg cases (Chondrichthyes: Rajiformes: Rajoidei) from the eastern North Pacific
Author
Ebert, David A.
Author
Davis, Chante D.
text
Zootaxa
2007
1393
1
18
journal article
10.5281/zenodo.175296
e2a01bd5-e044-4bd8-bfbe-e95cb0480f75
11755326
175296
Bathyraja aleutica
(
Gilbert, 1896
)
Description
: The egg cases of
Bathyraja aleutica
(
Figure 3
) are very large,>
120 mm
in length, with MAW about 73–76% of ECL. Egg case surface very coarse, striated, and with long anteriorly directed prickles giving it a velvety texture. Lateral keels very narrow, about 6–7% of MAW. Attachment fibers present, originating near base of posterior horns. Anterior apron border broad and concave, similar in width to the posterior.
Anterior horns relatively short, about 60–80% of ECL, curved inwards, tapering towards tips, becoming thin and filamentous. Posterior apron straight, broad, transverse, posterior horns longer than anteriors and about 90% or more length of egg case, tapering towards tips with tendrils coiling towards filamentous tips. Color after preservation a golden brown, lighter along lateral keels.
Remarks
: A common species in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska its southern range is now known to extend into northern California (
Hoff, 2002
;
Ebert, 2003
).
Material examined
:
CAS
224337, 138.0 cm TL, eastern Bering Sea (
56.1972 N
,
169.7457 W
),
242 m
,
17 June 2002
;
MLML
uncatalogued, 136.0 cm TL, eastern Bering Sea (
60.3806 N
,
178.6524 W
),
295 m
,
29 June 2002
;
MLML
uncatalogued, 134.9.0 cm TL, eastern Bering Sea (
60.3806 N
,
178.6524 W
),
295 m
,
29 June 2002
.