Rhynchobatus luebberti

Ehrenbaum, 1915


African wedgefish
Classification: Elasmobranchii Rhinopristiformes Rhinidae

Reference of the original description
Ehrenbaum, E. (1915)
Über Küstenfische von Westafrika, besonders von Kamerun. Hamburg, Friedrichsen & Co., pp. 1–85

Synonyms / new combinations and misspellings
Rhynchobatus atlanticus, Rhynchobatus lubberti, Rhynchobatus lübberti, Rhynchobatus lubertii

Types
Rhynchobatus luebberti
Holotype: ZMH: (lost);
Rhynchobatus atlanticus
Holotype: BMNH: 1914.11.2.2


Description :


Citation: Rhynchobatus luebberti Ehrenbaum, 1915: In: Database of modern sharks, rays and chimaeras, www.shark-references.com, World Wide Web electronic publication, Version 03/2024

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Rhynchobatus luebberti Ehrenbaum, 1915, © FAO, www.fish-base.org
Common names
deu \(T\) Geigenrochen, spa Pez cuna africano, fra \(T\) Poisson-paille africain, eng African wedgefish, eng Spikenose wedgefish, por Viola, por Viola-de-cunha

Short Description
Original diagnosis after SÉRET, 2016 [24713]: Diagnostic characters: A large guitarfish with a triangular disc and shark-like tail, snout pointed and typically wedge-shaped. Tail with a dermal fold along each lower edge. Two large and falcate dorsal fins; caudal fin with distinct upper and lower lobes. Two dermal folds on posterior margin of spiracles. Nostrils very large and oblique, separated from each other and from the mouth; nasal valves small. About 42 to 46 / 54 to 56 rows of oral teeth arranged in pavement. A row of pointed thorns along each rostral ridge, 2 additional thorns may occur on snout tip, a patch of thornlets and thorns in front of orbit extending backward to level of spiracles as a simple row; a median row of large pointed thorns from nape to first dorsal fin and between dorsals, flanked by 2 other short rows on the nape-shoulder area, additional short rows of thorns may be present on outer shoulders. Body covered in small dermal denticles, their crown with a median posterior cusp prolonging a median ridge and short lateral cusp. Colour: more or less yellowish above with a pattern of numerous circular dark-rimmed white spots, 2 large backish blotches (sometimes 4) on shoulders, placed between the 3 rows of thorns; alternating pale and dark crossbars may occur on the interorbital space; lower side white, with a large transverse blackish blotch on snout. Number of trunk vertebrae 44 to 49; number of pectoral radials 71 to 77.

Distribution
Eastern Atlantic: Congo to Mauritania [20218]

Human uses
fisheries: commercial

Biology
Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, fat or protein through specialised structures [733].

Size / Weight / Age
TL (max): 300 cm TL; TL (born): 79-85 cm [20218]

Habitat
demersal; marine, usually ? - 35 m [17657]

Remarks
shark-references Species-ID=6165; CITES: (see: Protected Species for more details) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Speciesof Wild Fauna and Flora annex: II; Council Regulation 2017/160 annex: B