Raja rhina

Ebert, David A. & Davis, Chante D., 2007, Descriptions of skate egg cases (Chondrichthyes: Rajiformes: Rajoidei) from the eastern North Pacific, Zootaxa 1393, pp. 1-18 : 12-13

Raja rhina Jordan & Gilbert, 1880

Description: The egg cases of Raja rhina ( Figure 10) are large, 93 to 102 mm in length, with MAW about 62– 70% of ECL. Egg case dorsal surface covered with dense woven­like fibers, ventral surface with either a thin fibrous layer or without. Surface of egg case beneath fibrous layer is finely striated and smooth to the touch. LKW broad, about 13–19% of MAW, and extending length of case including outer edge of horns; an inner keel is present along edge of both anterior and posterior horns. Attachment fibers present along lateral keels, originating about midway along egg case. Anterior apron border broad and concave, anterior horns also about one­half ECL, and flattening towards tips, becoming thread­like. Posterior apron nearly straight, broad, transverse, and about 1–7 mm wider than anterior apron width. Posterior horns relatively short, about one­half ECL, curved, flattening towards tips, and becoming thread­like. Color from fresh specimens a uniform golden brown.

Remarks: DeLacy and Chapman (1935), who first described these egg cases, found that they may range up to 130 mm in length, making it one of the larger skate egg cases found in the ENP. Although Cox (1963) stated that these egg cases were very similar to that of R. inornata we found them to be quite distinct. The egg case of R. inornata is much smaller, lacks a fibrous covering, and has a broader lateral keel, without attachment fibers, relative to the maximum egg case width.

Material examined: CAS 224343, 74.8 cm TL, off central California (36.4701 N, ­ 121.5312 W), 488 m, 10 December 2002; MLML RR 121602 ­3­11, 85.6 cm TL, off central California (36.4574 N, ­ 121.5469 W), 186 m, 16 December 2002; MLML RR 121602 ­1­04, 73.1 cm TL, off central California (36.4536 N, ­ 121.5382 W), 91 m, 16 December 2002.