Morphology Data of Dipturus argentinensis
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Díaz de Astarloa, J.M., E Mabragaña, R. Hanner and D.E. Figueroa, 2008
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral other
Cross section flattened
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth sub-terminal/inferior
Type of scales placoid scales
Diagnosis

This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: the dorsal surface of disc is brown purplish with no distinct ocelli or blotches margined with dark brown on pectoral and pelvic fins; the upper surface of the disc smooth except few small spinules scattered on tip of snout; presence of ocular thorns and absence of scapular thorns; single nuchal thorn may be either present or absent; one median row of 10 to 24 small caudal thorns; the dorsal and caudal fins scattered with very few spinules; 1-2 interdorsal thorns; tail relatively long and thin, approximately half the total length; ventral surface of disc as dark as the upper side, smooth except few small spinules scattered on tip of snout; interbranchial space with no prickles (Ref. 79571).

Description: disc rhombic; snout greatly elongated; anterior margin of disc concave and posterior margin convex with rounded inner corner to level of pelvic fins; the tail is very slender and relatively long with a thin lateral tail fold; nostril flaps short, thick and tube-like; anterior nasal flap (nasal curtain) is well developed and fringed along distal margin; posterior nasal flap is poorly developed and smooth; mouth slightly arched; dorsal side of disc smooth except with a few small spinules scattered on tip of snout (one specimen with spinules also placed on both sides of eyes as well as in front of ocular region); the ventral side of disc, pelvics, claspers and tail are without dermal denticles except with a few small spinules scattered on tip of snout; midline of tail with 13 (10-24) small thorns, with oval bases and backwardly directed crowns. Coloration when fresh: upper surface of the disc plain purplish brown and margined with dark brown on pectoral and pelvic fins with no distinct ocelli or blotches; thorns are marked off pale milky-white pigment; lateral tail folds are creamy white pigment; dorsal fins are uniformly brown (Ref. 79571).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Dipturus argentinensis

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total
Soft-rays total
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total
Soft-rays total

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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