Benthobatis kreffti

Rincon, Stehmann & Vooren, 2001


Brazilian blind electric ray
Classification: Elasmobranchii Torpediniformes Narcinidae

Reference of the original description
Rincon, G. & Stehmann, M. & Vooren, C.M. (2001)
Results of the research cruises of FRV 'Walther Herwig' to South America. LXXIV. Benthobatis kreffti n.sp. (Chondrichthyes, Rajiformes, Narcinidae), a new deep-water electric ray from off South Brazil and the third species of the genus. Archives of Fishery and Marine Research, 49(1), 45–60

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Citation: Benthobatis kreffti Rincon, Stehmann & Vooren, 2001: In: Database of modern sharks, rays and chimaeras, www.shark-references.com, World Wide Web electronic publication, Version 03/2024

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Benthobatis Kreffti Rincon, Stehmann & Vooren, 2001 © Mariana Martins, Brazil
Common names
eng Brazilian blind electric ray

Short Description
Original diagnosis after RINCON, STEHMANN & VOOREN, 2001 [3289]: A very small (maximum TL less than .300 mm) blind electric ray, with eyes totally concealed by integument and hardly discernible externally, with two very small, fleshy dorsal fins and a low, elongated oval caudal fin. Specimens sexually mature at about 150 mm TL. Mouth with straight jaws, narrow and protractile as a tube and surrounded by a groove being much deeper along upper jaw and around jaw angles than along lower jaw; 9 to 13 tooth rows. Lateral ridges or keels along caudal peduncle missing. Dorsal side of disc and tail dark coloured, ventral side whitish with dusky margins of disc and pelvic fins. Most specimens with a fringe of whitish free ceratotrichia at upper and posterior margins of unpaired fins.

Distribution
Southwest Atlantic: off southern Brazil [3289] Source: www.gbif.org

Human uses
fisheries: of no interest

Biology
There are indications that this species is ovovivipar [19579], Maturity was first observed at 177 and 162 mm, with total length at 50% maturity of 191 and 176 mm in females and males respectively. Uterine fecundity ranged from 1-3 and was not related to female total length. [27282] Deep water species on the continental slope. Feeds on worms, isopods and amphipods.

Size / Weight / Age
30.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; [19579]); Size at birth estimated from the largest near-term observed embryos and smallest free-swimming ray was 91-100 mm [27282]

Habitat
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 420 - 527 m [19579]

Dentition
Tooth bands occupying about median three fifths of jaw length only, with small teeth closely set in quincunx and in eleven rows in each jaw (9 to 13 rows, mean 11 in upper and 12 in lower jaw). Individual tooth with flat, moderately broad, oval crown; a solid, awl-shaped cusp on anterior teeth, directed horizontally inward, medially at rear margin and becoming a little shorter and rather bluntly pointed on posterior teeth. Tooth size only slightly reduced from anterior to posterior rows, shape of teeth alike in both jaws. [3289]

Remarks
shark-references Species-ID=578;