Myliobatis californica

(Gill, 1865)

Vernacular names

English : Bat eagle ray
French : Raie-aigle de Californie

Classification

Class : Elasmobranchii
Order : Myliobatiformes
Family : Myliobatidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification

The species grows to 1,80 m long for a weight of 82 kg. Snout very broad and round without pointy tip. Fins with blunt tips. Coloration uniformly dark brown, olive or even black. Ventral surface white with darker pectoral fins tip.

Range and habitat

The species occurs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, from the US coasts of Oregon state to Baja California peninsula and Galapagos Islands. Lives in sandy and muddy bays, also rocky bottoms and kelp beds, to 108 m deep.

Conservation

IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species remains common and is locally protected. Populations around Baja California are decreasing, possibly because of overfishing.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation