{"id":4478,"date":"2022-08-05T08:46:47","date_gmt":"2022-08-05T08:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/seabirds\/?page_id=4478"},"modified":"2022-11-08T09:19:46","modified_gmt":"2022-11-08T09:19:46","slug":"leucoraja-melitensis","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/leucoraja-melitensis\/","title":{"rendered":"Leucoraja melitensis"},"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>Leucoraja melitensis<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Common name :<\/strong> Maltese ray<br><strong>Order:<\/strong> Rajiformes  <br><strong>Family:<\/strong> Rajidae&nbsp;  <br><strong>Synonyms: <\/strong><em>Raja melitensis <\/em><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-4482\" style=\"width: 100%;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-27-6 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-4482 ml-slider\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_4482\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_4482\">\n            <ul aria-live=\"polite\" class=\"slides\">\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-4488 ms-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/lmelitensis_xampejn2-468x334.png\" height=\"500\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-4482 slide-4488\" title=\"lmelitensis_xampejn2\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">photo credit: xampejn<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-4487 ms-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/lmelitensis_anonymous-576x412.jpg\" height=\"500\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-4482 slide-4487\" title=\"lmelitensis_anonymous\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">photo credit: anonymous<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-4486 ms-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/lmelitensis_fao-640x457.jpg\" height=\"500\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-4482 slide-4486\" title=\"lmelitensis_fao\" \/><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\">drawing: FAO<\/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. Rhomboid disk, with sinuous anterior margins. Short muzzle with tip clearly pronounced.&nbsp; Triangular patch of thornlets on nape\/shoulder area<br><br><strong>Color:<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/strong>Dorsal surface light brown, pinkish. Big ocella on each pectoral fin. Triangular patch of thornlets on nape\/shoulder area.<br><br><strong>Measurements:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Total length<\/strong> (TL): up to 50 cm<\/li><li><strong>Weight<\/strong>: ~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<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\">\n<p>Small capsules with rectangular shape and pointed horns at the corners, deposited in sandy or muddy bottoms. Smooth surface, without fibres. Longer anterior apron than the posterior. Moderate and thin posterior horns, whereas anterior horns are very long, thin and intersecting. Absence of lateral keels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fresh color:<\/strong> yellowish with brown shades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Size: <\/strong>42.3-44.1 mm length, 22.4-26 mm wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Distinctive features:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/lmelitensis_egg-e1659688834445.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4480\" width=\"151\" height=\"400\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Egg-case length &lt; 3 cm<\/li><li>Moderate posterior horns and very long, thin and intersecting.<\/li><li>No keel.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Leucoraja:<\/span> Egg case with long pointed horns. Anterior horns length greater than twice the posterior. Rear horns relatively long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Rajiformes \/ Rajidae:<\/span><strong> <\/strong>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\">Feeds on crustaceans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-caf50a6c-6585-4a9d-972f-8036f1810e92\"><strong>Reproduction: <\/strong>Oviparous. Size at maturity (TL): ~40 cm. 10-56 eggs per year in spring and autumn, at 200 m of depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-caf50a6c-6585-4a9d-972f-8036f1810e92\"><strong>Habitat: <\/strong>Demersal species living in temperate water, found in a wide range from surface to 800 m of depth, but more common in the upper continental slope.<\/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-tertiary-background-color has-background\">One of the four endemic species from the Mediterranean Sea.<\/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>Triangular patch of thornlets on nape\/shoulder area<\/li><li>3 small,  dark spots on each pectoral fin.<\/li><li>Muzzle short and pronounced.<\/li><li>One big ocella on each pectoral 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>:&nbsp;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><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Occurrence:<\/strong> Very rare.<\/li><li><strong>Latest records: <\/strong>Malta (1994-2018), Northern Tunisia (2017), Sardinia (2017), Strait of Sicily &#8211;\u00a0Italy\u00a0 (2012-2015), Aegean Sea (2012-2015).<\/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\/Leucoraja_melitensis_4-1024x508.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Leucoraja_melitensis_4-1024x508.png 1024w, https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Leucoraja_melitensis_4-300x149.png 300w, https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Leucoraja_melitensis_4-768x381.png 768w, https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Leucoraja_melitensis_4-1536x762.png 1536w, https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Leucoraja_melitensis_4-1568x778.png 1568w, https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Leucoraja_melitensis_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 by bottom trawlers and longline. Often discarded.<br><br><strong>Protection level<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Mediterranean:<\/strong> Critically Endangered (IUCN 2015, last assessment: 2014)<\/li><\/ul>\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>Ben Amor M. M., Ounifi-Ben Amor K., Capap\u00e9 C. 2018. Record of a critically endangered skate, <em>Leucoraja melitensis<\/em> (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae) from Tunisian coast (central Mediterranean). <em>Thalassia Salentina<\/em> 40: 9-16.<\/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.&nbsp;<em>Studies and Reviews<\/em>&nbsp;101: 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.&nbsp;<em>Scientia Marina&nbsp;<\/em>83(S1): 81-100.<\/li><li>Geraci M. L., Ragonese S., Scannella D., Falsone F., Gancitano V., Mifsud J., Gambin M., Said A., Vitale S. 2021. Batoid abundances, spatial distribution, and life history traits in the Strait of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea): Bridging a knowledge gap through three decades of survey. <em>Animals<\/em> 11(8): 2189.<\/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>Leucoraja melitensis Common name : Maltese rayOrder: Rajiformes Family: Rajidae&nbsp; Synonyms: Raja melitensis Misidentifications: None. Short description Medium-sized skate. Rhomboid disk, with sinuous anterior margins. Short muzzle with tip clearly pronounced.&nbsp; Triangular patch of thornlets on nape\/shoulder area Color:&nbsp;Dorsal surface light brown, pinkish. Big ocella on each pectoral fin. Triangular patch of thornlets on nape\/shoulder<a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/leucoraja-melitensis\/\">Lire la suite <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">\u00ab\u00a0Leucoraja melitensis\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\/4478"}],"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=4478"}],"version-history":[{"count":41,"href":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4478\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6708,"href":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4478\/revisions\/6708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ciesm.org\/marine\/programs\/skatesandrays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4478"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}