Catalog of Fishes
literature references
FishBase
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Rajella leopardus
(Von Bonde & Swart, 1923)
Leopard skate
Classification: Elasmobranchii Rajiformes Rajidae
Reference of the original description
The Platosomia (skates and rays) collected by the S. S. "Pickle." Report Fisheries and Marine Biological Survey, Union of South Africa, 3(5): 1–22, Pls. 20–23
The Platosomia (skates and rays) collected by the S. S. "Pickle." Report Fisheries and Marine Biological Survey, Union of South Africa, 3(5): 1–22, Pls. 20–23
Image of the original description
Image in copyright.
Image in copyright.
Synonyms / new combinations and misspellings
Raia leopardus, Raja (Rajella) cf. leopardus, Raja (Rajella) leopardus, Rajella leoparda
Raia leopardus, Raja (Rajella) cf. leopardus, Raja (Rajella) leopardus, Rajella leoparda
Types
Rajella leopardus
Holotype: Government Marine Survey: ; Paratype: BMNH: 1935.7.14.3 BMNH: 1935.7.14.2
Rajella leopardus
Holotype: Government Marine Survey: ; Paratype: BMNH: 1935.7.14.3 BMNH: 1935.7.14.2
Description :
Citation: Rajella leopardus (Von Bonde & Swart, 1923): In: Database of modern sharks, rays and chimaeras, www.shark-references.com, World Wide Web electronic publication, Version 08/2025
Please send your images of "Rajella leopardus" to info@shark-references.com
Egg capsule of Rajella leopardus, MTUF 26695, 74.0 x 74.5 mm © Hajime Ishihara, Japan
Egg capsule of Rajella leopardus, MTUF 26695, 74.0 x 74.5 mm © Hajime Ishihara, Japan
Common names
Raya leopardo, 
Raie léopard, 
Leopard skate, Skate
Raya leopardo, Raie léopard, Leopard skate, Skate
Short Description
Large skate with a moderately long snout, small eyes, and a flat disc; tail about as long as body; small inconspicuous, light thorns on upper surface including snout [536]. Medium grey to brownish dorsally, often with dark spots; white or mottled with dusky patches ventrally [536].
Large skate with a moderately long snout, small eyes, and a flat disc; tail about as long as body; small inconspicuous, light thorns on upper surface including snout [536]. Medium grey to brownish dorsally, often with dark spots; white or mottled with dusky patches ventrally [536].
Distribution
Eastern Atlantic: off Namibia and South Africa with spotty records off Senegal and Conarkry, Guinea and as far north to Mauritania. Probably throughout West African slope waters. Source: www.gbif.org
Eastern Atlantic: off Namibia and South Africa with spotty records off Senegal and Conarkry, Guinea and as far north to Mauritania. Probably throughout West African slope waters. Source: www.gbif.org
Human uses
fisheries: commercial
fisheries: commercial
Biology
Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk [733]. Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother [17086]. Found in deeper shelf and slope waters [7180]. Feed on bottom crustaceans, dragonets, rattails, hake, lanternfish, sea pens, cuttlefish and polychaete worms [536]. Feeds on nekton and zoobenthos [536].
Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk [733]. Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother [17086]. Found in deeper shelf and slope waters [7180]. Feed on bottom crustaceans, dragonets, rattails, hake, lanternfish, sea pens, cuttlefish and polychaete worms [536]. Feeds on nekton and zoobenthos [536].
Remarks
shark-references Species-ID=5865;
shark-references Species-ID=5865;
Parasites (arranged by Jürgen Pollerspöck)
Cestoda
Copepoda
Cestoda
- Heteronybelinia robusta (Linton, 1890) [16112]
Copepoda
