Dipturus whitleyi Iredale, 1938 - Melbourne/Whitley’s skate

(Fig. 9)

Distribution

Found in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia in shallow waters to 170 m (Last and Stevens 1994).

Description

Egg case very large and broad, rectangular in shape (Table 1); colour gold or fawn. Anterior end slightly narrower than posterior end; dorsal surface very convex in shape, covered with thick fibroids. Ventral surface fairly flat; smooth with fine fibroids; lateral keel broad,> 20% maximum width. Attachment fibres more common on aprons, also present on lateral keel. Posterior and anterior horns short, narrow, flat; aprons long, although posterior apron is longer. Aprons fringed, posterior apron arch shaped.