Common names
Raie-guitare mauritanienne, False shark ray

Short Description
Original diagnosis after SÉRET & NAYLOR, 2016 [24306]: A large wedgefish (maximum TL 275 cm) with a heavy shark-like body, head somewhat flattened, snout tip broadly rounded (holotype, and paratype MNHN 2002-611) to somewhat quadrangular (paratype MNHN 2003-612). Tail with a dermal fold along each lower edge. Two large and falcate dorsal fins; caudal fin with distinct upper and lower lobes. Two conspicuous dermal folds on posterior margin of spiracles. Nostrils very large and oblique, separated from each other and from the mouth; anterior nasal flap small (not extending to inner nostril corner). Jaws moderately undulated; about 66/72 rows of oral teeth arranged in pavement. A row of pointed thorns along each rostral ridge, two/three additional thorns may occur on snout tip, single row of thornlets and thorns in front of orbit extending backward to level of spiracles; a median row of about 36 large, pointed thorns from nape to first dorsal fin and six between dorsal fins, median thorns flanked by two other shorter rows on the nape-shoulder area, additional short rows of thorns may be present on outer shoulders. Body covered with small dermal denticles, their crowns with a median posterior cusp, an extension from the median ridge, and short lateral cusp. Dorsal side greyish to greenish with numerous white ocelli-like spots; large black transverse blotch on ventral snout tip.

Distribution
from the shallow waters of shoal “Banc d’Arguin”, Mauritania [24306]

Size / Weight / Age
TL (max): 275 cm (male, total length without the caudal fin) [24306]

Habitat
demersal; marine [24306]

Dentition
Teeth small, with blunt rhomboidal crowns, similar in both jaws, and arranged in pavement in 66/72 rows [24306]

Remarks
shark-references Species-ID=14612; 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