{"id":4411,"date":"2022-08-03T16:09:12","date_gmt":"2022-08-03T16:09:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/seabirds\/?page_id=4411"},"modified":"2023-12-07T16:15:49","modified_gmt":"2023-12-07T16:15:49","slug":"raja-clavata","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/raja-clavata\/","title":{"rendered":"Raja clavata"},"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 clavata<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Common name:<\/strong> Thornback skate  <br><strong>Order:<\/strong> Rajiformes  <br><strong>Family:<\/strong> Rajidae&nbsp;<br><strong>Synonyms: <\/strong>None  <br><strong>Misidentifications: <\/strong>None<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-4413\" style=\"width: 100%;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-27-6 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-4413 ml-slider\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_4413\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_4413\">\n            <ul aria-live=\"polite\" class=\"slides\">\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-4418 ms-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rclavata_unkown-599x428.jpg\" height=\"500\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-4413 slide-4418\" title=\"rclavata_unkown\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">photo credit: anonymous<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-4419 ms-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rclavata_BEPicton-700x500.jpg\" height=\"500\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-4413 slide-4419\" title=\"rclavata_BEPicton\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">photo credit: B.E. Picton<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-4417 ms-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rclavata_HansHillewaert-700x500.jpg\" height=\"500\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-4413 slide-4417\" title=\"SONY DSC\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">photo credit: Hans Hillewaert<\/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 skate. Angular disc with a circular body. Pectoral fins wider than long and with clear angles on the lateral side. Short rostrum, rounded at its extremity. Dorsally prickly in juveniles, adults with additional large thorns. A median row of 30-50 dark and light thorns from the nape to the first dorsal fin. Short and thick tail. Prickly margins on disc and undersite snout. Large females with prickly ventral surfaces.<br><br><strong>Color: &nbsp;<\/strong>Highly variable with dorsal surface having all shades of brown with dark and light spots and blotches. Ventral surface white.<br><br><strong>Measurements:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong style=\"background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--background); color: var(--wp--preset--color--foreground); font-family: var(--font-base, &quot;PT Sans&quot;, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, &quot;Roboto&quot;, &quot;Oxygen&quot;, &quot;Ubuntu&quot;, &quot;Cantarell&quot;, &quot;Fira Sans&quot;, &quot;Droid Sans&quot;, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif);\">Disk width<\/strong><span style=\"background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--background); color: var(--wp--preset--color--foreground); font-family: var(--font-base, &quot;PT Sans&quot;, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, &quot;Roboto&quot;, &quot;Oxygen&quot;, &quot;Ubuntu&quot;, &quot;Cantarell&quot;, &quot;Fira Sans&quot;, &quot;Droid Sans&quot;, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif);\"> (DW): up to 64 cm<\/span><\/li><li><strong>Total length<\/strong> (TL): up to 140 cm<\/li><li><strong>Weight<\/strong>: up to 5.2 kg<\/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\/rclavata_gerardstorey-cut.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption>video credit: Gerard Storey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\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>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 almost square in shape with stiff pointed horns at the corners deposited on shallow sand, mud, pebble or gravel bottoms. Rounded anterior apron and a straight. Posterior horns are short and sturdy, anterior thin and moderately long. Egg covered by fibres, adhesive fibres attached on lateral and pronounced keels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fresh color:<\/strong> from brown to amber, to yellowish in the edges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Size:<\/strong> 5-9 cm length, 3.4-6.8 cm wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Distinctive features:<\/strong><\/p>\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_clavata_Egg.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"157\" height=\"401\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Moderate eggs, rectangular\/square in shape.<\/li><li>Aprons and keels developed.<\/li><li>Moderate and thin anterior horns. Short and sturdy posterior horns.<\/li><\/ul>\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<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\">Nocturnal species that feeds on crustaceans and fishes. In the North Sea, a clear annual cycle migration was observed with a distance ranging between 54-117 km per month. Adults can form sex-aggregations during mating season. Young are non-migratory, occurring in coastal nurseries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-caf50a6c-6585-4a9d-972f-8036f1810e92\"><strong>Reproduction: <\/strong>Oviparous and polyandrous species. Size at maturity (TL): 60-85 cm female, 60-77 cm male at 7-8 years. Continuous spawner with some differences in the sexual cycle that may be explained by the water temperature and the impacts of the fishing pressure. The rate and peaks of egg deposition increase with the water temperature. Presents a high diversity of laying areas with a large bathymetric range (42-473 m around Sardinian, in the Central Western Mediterranean Sea) and sediment composition which may differ from the Atlantic Ocean. Eggs per year: to 170. Eggs per clutch: ~35. Embryonic development until hatching takes about 4-5 months. Size at birth (TL): 10-13 cm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-caf50a6c-6585-4a9d-972f-8036f1810e92\"><strong>Habitat: <\/strong>Demersal coastal species, occurs on the shelf and upper slope. Inhabits a variety of substrates with a preference for sandy bottoms. Reported 5 to 1020 m deep (but more common between 10 m and 60 m). Tolerates low salinities.<\/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. polystigma.<\/em> Observations now often recorded as <em>R. cf 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>Snout bluntly pointed.<\/li><li>Dorsally prickly in juveniles, adults with additional large thorns.<\/li><li>Tail with light and dark crossbars.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>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>: From Island and Norway in the North Sea, to the African Northwest. From South Africa to the Southwestern Indian Ocean. Present in Black Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-9d84759b-671d-4c76-b4e6-4c202ee3961d\"><strong>Mediterranean<\/strong>: <strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>Whole Mediterranean..<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Occurrence: <\/strong>Abundant.<\/li><li><strong>Latest records:<\/strong> Cyprus (2018-2022), Central-North Aegean Sea (2019), Gulf of Cadiz &#8211; Spain (2018), Gulf of Gabes &#8211; Tunisia (2017), Portugal (1986-2017), Atlantic &#8211; Morocco (2016), Sardinia (2016), Black Sea (2017), Adriatic Sea (2012-2015), Balearic Sea (2012-2015), Corsica &#8211; France (2012-2015), Greece (2012-2015), Italy (2012-2015), Gulf of Antalya &#8211; Turkey (2013), Marmara Sea (2013), Mersin bay &#8211; Turkey (2013), Lebanon (2012-2014), Iskenderebun bay (2010-2011), Edremit, Izmir, Saros and Sigacik bay &#8211; Turkey (2007-2009), Calabria &#8211; Italy (2007), Tunisia (2005), Algeria (2003-2004), Malta (2003).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Raja_clavata_4.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/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 generally with trawlers. Commercial species in several areas of the Mediterranean (low commercial value).<br><br><strong>Protection level<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Global:<\/strong> Endangered (IUCN 2021, last assessment: 2019)<\/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>Bilgin S., Hatice O. 2020. Spawning Period and Size at Maturity of the Thornback ray, <em>Raja clavata <\/em>(Linnaeus, 1758),(Elasmobranchii: Rajidae) in the Black Sea. <em>Acta Aquatica Turcica<\/em> <em>16<\/em>(4): 525-534.<\/li><li>Cabbar K., Yi\u011fin C.\u00c7. 2021. Biology of the thornback ray (Linnaeus, 1758) in the North Aegean Sea. <em>Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies<\/em> <em>50<\/em>(2): 115-127.<\/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. General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean.\u00a0<em>Studies and Reviews<\/em>\u00a0101: I-317.<\/li><li>Follesa M. C., Marongiu M. F., Zupa W., Bellodi A., Cau A., Cannas R., Colloca F., Djurovic M., Isajlovic I., Jadaud A., Manfredi C., Mulas A., Peristeraki P., Porcu C., Ramirez-Amaro S., Salmer\u00f3n Jim\u00e9nez F., Serena F., Sion L., Thasitis I., Cau A., Carbonara P. 2019. Spatial variability of Chondrichthyes in the northern Mediterranean.\u00a0<em>Scientia Marina\u00a0<\/em>83(S1): 81-100.<\/li><li>Kadri H., Marouani S., Sa\u00efdi B., Bradai M.N., Boua\u00efn A., Morize E. 2014. Age, growth, sexual maturity and reproduction of the thornback ray, <em>Raja clavata<\/em> (L.), of the Gulf of Gab\u00e8s (south-central Mediterranean Sea). <em>Marine Biology Research<\/em> <em>10<\/em>(4): 416-425.<\/li><li>Marongiu M.F., Porcu C., Bellodi A., Cannas R., Cau A., Cuccu D., Mulas A., Follesa M.C. 2017. Temporal dynamics of demersal chondrichthyan species in the central western Mediterranean Sea: The case study in Sardinia Island. <em>Fisheries Research<\/em> 193: 81-94.<\/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>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><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Raja clavata Common name: Thornback skate Order: Rajiformes Family: Rajidae&nbsp;Synonyms: None Misidentifications: None Short description Medium-sized skate. Angular disc with a circular body. Pectoral fins wider than long and with clear angles on the lateral side. Short rostrum, rounded at its extremity. Dorsally prickly in juveniles, adults with additional large thorns. A median row of<a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/raja-clavata\/\">Lire la suite <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">\u00ab\u00a0Raja clavata\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\/4411"}],"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=4411"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4411\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6744,"href":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4411\/revisions\/6744"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}