{"id":4374,"date":"2022-08-01T15:30:26","date_gmt":"2022-08-01T15:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/seabirds\/?page_id=4374"},"modified":"2023-12-07T16:16:48","modified_gmt":"2023-12-07T16:16:48","slug":"raja-polystigma","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/raja-polystigma\/","title":{"rendered":"Raja polystigma"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:31px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-container-1 wp-block-group alignfull has-tertiary-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid alignfull column1-desktop-grid__span-8 column1-desktop-grid__start-3 column1-desktop-grid__row-1 column1-tablet-grid__span-8 column1-tablet-grid__row-1 column1-mobile-grid__span-4 column1-mobile-grid__row-1\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid-column wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid__padding-none is-vertically-aligned-center\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-huge-font-size\"><em><em><em><em><em><em><em>Raja polystigma<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Common name:<\/strong> Speckled Skate <br><strong>Order:<\/strong> Rajiformes  <br><strong>Family:<\/strong> Rajidae  <br><strong>Synonyms: <\/strong>None  <br><strong>Misidentifications: <\/strong><em><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/Raja-montagui\/\" target=\"_blank\">Raja montagui<\/a><\/em>, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/Raja-brachyura\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Raja brachyura<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-4377\" style=\"width: 100%;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-27-6 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-4377 ml-slider\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_4377\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_4377\">\n            <ul aria-live=\"polite\" class=\"slides\">\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-4383 ms-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rpolystigma1_AlainMandine-650x464.jpg\" height=\"500\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-4377 slide-4383\" title=\"rpolystigma1_AlainMandine\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">photo credit: Alain Mandine<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-4381 ms-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rpolystigma_2AlainMandine-650x464.jpg\" height=\"500\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-4377 slide-4381\" title=\"rpolystigma_2AlainMandine\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">photo credit: Alain Mandine<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-4382 ms-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rpolystigma_HenriMennella-e1659367548365-288x206.jpg\" height=\"500\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-4377 slide-4382\" title=\"rpolystigma_HenriMennella\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">photo credit: Henri Menella<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:41px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid alignfull column1-desktop-grid__span-4 column1-desktop-grid__start-3 column1-desktop-grid__row-1 column2-desktop-grid__span-4 column2-desktop-grid__start-7 column2-desktop-grid__row-1 column1-tablet-grid__span-4 column1-tablet-grid__row-1 column2-tablet-grid__span-4 column2-tablet-grid__start-5 column2-tablet-grid__row-1 column1-mobile-grid__span-4 column1-mobile-grid__row-1 column2-mobile-grid__span-4 column2-mobile-grid__row-2\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid-column wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid__padding-none\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-primary-background-color has-background has-large-font-size\"><strong>Short description<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Medium-sized species. Angular disc with a circular body with pectoral fins wider than long and an edge forming a sinuous curve. Pectoral fins with clear angles on the lateral side. Triangular pelvic fins. Short snout with rounded, thorny tip. Smooth dorsal surface with spines on higher margins. Smooth ventral surface but not on the muzzle.<br><br><strong>Color: &nbsp;<\/strong>Brown dorsal surface with an irregular pattern consisting of black dots and light spots, presence of a narrow white band surrounding the disc. Scattered black spots may not reach the extremity of the pectoral fins. Frequent presence of large black spots in the middle of the pectoral fin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Measurements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Total length<\/strong>&nbsp;(TL): 50-60cm (max 71 cm)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Swimming pattern: <\/strong>Undulatory and pelvic fin locomotion (walking and punting).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video controls src=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/seabirds\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/rpolystigma_GuillaumeRuoppolo.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption>video credit: Guillaume Ruoppolo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-primary-background-color has-background has-large-font-size\"><strong>Egg case<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>Rectangular with stiff pointed horns at the corners. Deposited in sandy or muddy flats. Rounded and narrow posterior apron and a moderately developed straight anterior one. Moderate and sturdy posterior horns. Moderate and thin anterior horns. Straight and moderate anterior apron. Rounded and narrow posterior apron. Narrow keels with adhesion fibres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fresh color:<\/strong> Brown with yellow at the edges<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Size:<\/strong> 35-46 mm length.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Distinctive features:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Egg-case length &lt; 5 cm<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Raja_polystigma_Egg.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"151\" height=\"399\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Raja:<\/span> Long posterior horns. Anterior horns length less than twice the posterior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Rajiformes \/&nbsp;Rajidae:<\/span>&nbsp;Rectangular egg-case, width no greater than twice the capsule length.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-primary-background-color has-background has-large-font-size\"><strong>Biology \/ Ecology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-caf50a6c-6585-4a9d-972f-8036f1810e92\">Feeds mainly on crustaceans and bony fishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-caf50a6c-6585-4a9d-972f-8036f1810e92\"><strong>Reproduction: <\/strong>Oviparous. Size at maturity<strong> <\/strong>(TL): 53 cm males, 63 cm females. Egg laid in summer, on the continental shelf. Eggs per year: ~20-62.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-caf50a6c-6585-4a9d-972f-8036f1810e92\"><strong>Habitat: <\/strong>Demersal species, mainly found on deep soft bottoms of the continental shelf. Benthic from shallow waters to 650 m but more common on sandy and muddy bottoms from 100 m to 400 m of depth. Possibly occurs down to 800 m deep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid column1-desktop-grid__span-11 column1-desktop-grid__row-1 column1-tablet-grid__span-8 column1-tablet-grid__row-1 column1-mobile-grid__span-4 column1-mobile-grid__row-1\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid-column wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid__padding-none\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-foreground-color has-tertiary-background-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:18px\">Mainly misidentified with <em>R. montagui<\/em>. Observations now often recorded as <em>R.<\/em> cf. <em>polystigma<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid-column wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid__padding-none\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-primary-background-color has-background has-large-font-size\"><strong>Distinguishing characteristics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Frequently large dark spots on each middle pectoral fin.<\/li><li>Regular row of 22\u201328 thorns on tail, a thorn between dorsal fin.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rajiformes \/ Rajidae:<\/strong> Depressed body. Circular to rhombic disc. Tail well demarcated from disc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-primary-background-color has-background has-large-font-size\"><strong>Distribution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-7c753903-038c-44d5-aff6-969ae6648293\"><strong>Worldwide<\/strong>: Endemic species from Mediterranean Sea. Absent from Black Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-9d84759b-671d-4c76-b4e6-4c202ee3961d\"><strong>Mediterranean<\/strong>: <strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>Near panmictic population in the central-western Mediterranean (except for the Adriatic population which present a slightly differentiated haplotype).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Occurrence:<\/strong> Common in the western and western-central Mediterranean Sea.<\/li><li><strong>Latest records: <\/strong>Cyprus (2018-2022), Adriatic Sea (2012-2015), Balearic Islands (2012-2015), Gulf of Lion &#8211; France (2012-2015), Italy (2012-2015), Greece (2012-2015), Aegean Sea (2012-2015), Catalan Sea (2013), Algeria (2003-2004), Calabria &#8211; Italy (2001).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"508\" src=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Raja_polystigma_4-1024x508.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Raja_polystigma_4-1024x508.png 1024w, https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Raja_polystigma_4-300x149.png 300w, https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Raja_polystigma_4-768x381.png 768w, https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Raja_polystigma_4-1536x762.png 1536w, https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Raja_polystigma_4-1568x778.png 1568w, https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Raja_polystigma_4.png 1794w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid column1-desktop-grid__span-10 column1-desktop-grid__start-2 column1-desktop-grid__row-1 column1-tablet-grid__span-8 column1-tablet-grid__row-1 column1-mobile-grid__span-4 column1-mobile-grid__row-1\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid-column wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid__padding-none\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-foreground-color has-secondary-background-color has-text-color has-background\">Any recent observation not on the map?<br><a href=\"mailto: lmendez@ciesm.org\">Contact us<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-primary-background-color has-background has-large-font-size\"><strong>Conservation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-ca6ef4b1-4ee6-45e6-85da-9ca8e126a46f\"><strong>Threats<\/strong>: Taken as bycatch in demersal trawl fisheries. Also fished with gillnets longlines and hand lines in artisanal fisheries.<br><br><strong>Protection level<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Global, Europe &amp; Mediterranean: <\/strong>Least Concern (IUCN 2015, last assessment: 2014)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-7c753903-038c-44d5-aff6-969ae6648293\"><br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:43px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-container-2 wp-block-group alignfull has-tertiary-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid alignfull column1-desktop-grid__span-10 column1-desktop-grid__start-2 column1-desktop-grid__row-1 column1-tablet-grid__span-8 column1-tablet-grid__row-1 column1-mobile-grid__span-4 column1-mobile-grid__row-1\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid-column wp-block-jetpack-layout-grid__padding-none\">\n<p><strong>Key references<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"font-size:14px\"><li>Baino R., Serena F., Ragonese S., Rey J. and Rinelli P. 2001. Catch composition and abundance of Elasmobranchs based on the MEDITS program. <em>Rapports de la Commission Internationale pour L\u2019Exploration Scientifique de la Mer M\u00e9diterran\u00e9e <\/em>36: 234.<\/li><li>Cannas R., Pasolini P., Mancusi C., Follesa M.C., Cabiddu S., Hemida F., Serena F., Tinti F. 2008. Distribution, molecular systematics and phylogeography of <em>Raja polystigma<\/em> and <em>Raja montagui<\/em> in the Mediterranean. <em>Biologia Marina Mediterr\u00e1nea <\/em>15(1): 188-191.<\/li><li>Carpentieri P., Nastasi A., Sessa M., Srour A. 2021. Incidental catch of vulnerable species in Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries \u2013 A review. <em>General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean<\/em> &#8211;\u00a0<em>Studies and Reviews<\/em>\u00a0101: I-317.<\/li><li>Ellis J.R., Dulvy N.K., Jennings S., Parker-Humphreys M., Rogers, S.I. 2005. Assessing the status of demersal elasmobranchs in UK waters: a review. <em>Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom<\/em> 85: 1025-1047.<\/li><li>Ferretti F., Osio G.C., Jenkins C.J., Rosenberg A.A., Lotze H.K. 2013. Long-term change in a meso-predator community in response to prolonged and heterogeneous human impact. <em>Scientific reports<\/em> 3(1): 1-11.<\/li><li>Giovos I., Serena F., Katsada D., Anastasiadis A., Barash A., Charilaou C., Hall-Spencer J.M.,Crocetta F.,Kaminas A., Kletou D, Maximiadi M., Minasidis V., Moutopoulos D.K., Aga-Spyridopoulou R.N., Thasitis I., Kleitou P. 2021. Integrating literature, biodiversity databases, and citizen-science to reconstruct the checklist of Chondrichthyans in Cyprus (Eastern Mediterranean Sea). <em>Fishes<\/em> 6(3): 24.<\/li><li>Mancusi C., Massi D., Baino R., Cariani A., Crobe V., Ebert D.A., Ferrari, C, Gordon A., Hoff G.R., Iglesias S.P., Titone A., Serena F. 2021. An identification key for Chondrichthyes egg cases of the Mediterranean and Black Sea. <em>The European Zoological Journal<\/em> 88(1): 436-448.<\/li><li>O\u2019Keefe M., Bengil EG., Palmer JL, Beton D, \u00c7a\u011flar \u00c7., Godley B.J, \u00d6zkan M., Snape R.T.E., Broderick A.C. 2023. Diversity and distribution of elasmobranchs in the coastal waters of Cyprus: using bycatch data to inform management and conservation.\u00a0<em>Front. Mar. Sci.<\/em> 10: 1181437.<\/li><li>Ordines F., Massut\u00ed E., Moranta J., Quetglas A., Guijarro B., Fliti K. 2011. Balearic Islands vs Algeria: two nearby western Mediterranean elasmobranch assemblages with different oceanographic scenarios and fishing histories.\u00a0<em>Scientia Marina<\/em>\u00a075(4): 707-717.<\/li><li>Porcu C., Marongiu M.F., Bellodi A., Cannas R., Cau A., Melis R., Mulas A., Soldovilla G., Vacca L., Follesa M.C. 2017. Morphological descriptions of the eggcases of skates (Rajidae) from the central-western Mediterranean, with notes on their distribution. <em>Helgoland Marine Research<\/em> 71(1): 1-14.<\/li><li>Soldo A., Lipej L. 2022. An Annotated Checklist and the Conservation Status of Chondrichthyans in the Adriatic. <em>Fishes<\/em>\u00a07(5): 245.<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Raja polystigma Common name: Speckled Skate Order: Rajiformes Family: Rajidae Synonyms: None Misidentifications: Raja montagui, Raja brachyura Short description Medium-sized species. Angular disc with a circular body with pectoral fins wider than long and an edge forming a sinuous curve. Pectoral fins with clear angles on the lateral side. Triangular pelvic fins. Short snout with<a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/raja-polystigma\/\">Lire la suite <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">\u00ab\u00a0Raja polystigma\u00a0\u00bb<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4374"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4374"}],"version-history":[{"count":33,"href":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4374\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6745,"href":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4374\/revisions\/6745"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}