Catalog of Fishes
literature references
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Rajella leoparda
(Von Bonde & Swart, 1923)
Leopard skate
Classification: Elasmobranchii Rajiformes Rajidae
Reference of the original description
The Platosomia (skates and rays) collected by the S. S. "Pickle." Report Fisheries and Marine Biological Survey, Union of South Africa, 3(5): 1–22, Pls. 20–23
The Platosomia (skates and rays) collected by the S. S. "Pickle." Report Fisheries and Marine Biological Survey, Union of South Africa, 3(5): 1–22, Pls. 20–23
Image of the original description
Image in copyright.
Image in copyright.
Synonyms / new combinations and misspellings
Raia leopardus, Raja leopardus, Raja (Rajella) cf. leopardus, Raja (Rajella) leopardus, Rajella leopardus
Raia leopardus, Raja leopardus, Raja (Rajella) cf. leopardus, Raja (Rajella) leopardus, Rajella leopardus
Types
Rajella leoparda
Rajella leopardus
Holotype: Government Marine Survey: ; Paratype: BMNH: 1935.7.14.3 BMNH: 1935.7.14.2
Rajella leoparda
Rajella leopardus
Holotype: Government Marine Survey: ; Paratype: BMNH: 1935.7.14.3 BMNH: 1935.7.14.2
Description :
Citation: Rajella leoparda (Von Bonde & Swart, 1923): In: Database of modern sharks, rays and chimaeras, www.shark-references.com, World Wide Web electronic publication, Version 08/2025
Please send your images of "Rajella leoparda" to info@shark-references.com
Egg capsule of Rajella leoparda, MTUF 26695, 74.0 x 74.5 mm © Hajime Ishihara, Japan
Egg capsule of Rajella leoparda, MTUF 26695, 74.0 x 74.5 mm © Hajime Ishihara, Japan
Common names
Raya leopardo, 
Raie léopard, 
Leopard skate, Skate
Raya leopardo, Raie léopard, Leopard skate, Skate
Short Description
Large skate with a moderately long snout, small eyes, and a flat disc; tail about as long as body; small inconspicuous, light thorns on upper surface including snout [536]. Medium grey to brownish dorsally, often with dark spots; white or mottled with dusky patches ventrally [536].
Large skate with a moderately long snout, small eyes, and a flat disc; tail about as long as body; small inconspicuous, light thorns on upper surface including snout [536]. Medium grey to brownish dorsally, often with dark spots; white or mottled with dusky patches ventrally [536].
Distribution
Eastern Atlantic: off Namibia and South Africa with spotty records off Senegal and Conarkry, Guinea and as far north to Mauritania. Probably throughout West African slope waters. Source: www.gbif.org
Eastern Atlantic: off Namibia and South Africa with spotty records off Senegal and Conarkry, Guinea and as far north to Mauritania. Probably throughout West African slope waters. Source: www.gbif.org
Human uses
fisheries: commercial
fisheries: commercial
Biology
Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk [733]. Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother [17086]. Found in deeper shelf and slope waters [7180]. Feed on bottom crustaceans, dragonets, rattails, hake, lanternfish, sea pens, cuttlefish and polychaete worms [536]. Feeds on nekton and zoobenthos [536].
Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk [733]. Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother [17086]. Found in deeper shelf and slope waters [7180]. Feed on bottom crustaceans, dragonets, rattails, hake, lanternfish, sea pens, cuttlefish and polychaete worms [536]. Feeds on nekton and zoobenthos [536].
Remarks
shark-references Species-ID=7973;
shark-references Species-ID=7973;
Parasites (arranged by Jürgen Pollerspöck)
Cestoda
Copepoda
Cestoda
- Heteronybelinia robusta (Linton, 1890) [16112]
Copepoda
