Giant guitarfish  (Rhynchobatus djiddensis)

Authentication

Authenticated (19/06/2006) by R. Aidan Martin, Director of the ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research.
http://www.elasmo-research.org/

Glossary

  • Bycatch: in the fishing industry, the part of the catch made up of non-target species.
  • Dorsal fin: the unpaired fin found on the back of the body of fish, or the raised structure on the back of most cetaceans.
  • Ovovivipary: method of reproduction whereby the egg shell is weakly formed and young hatch inside the female; they are nourished by their yolk sac and then ‘born’ live.
  • Pectoral fins: in fish, the pair of fins that are found one on each side of the body just behind the gills. They are generally used for balancing and braking.

References

  1. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (April, 2006)
    http://www.redlist/org
  2. FishBase (April, 2006)
    http://www.fishbase.org
  3. Marine Themes (April, 2006)
    http://www.marinethemes.com
  4. Sundive: the marine life of Julian Rocks and Byron Bay (April, 2006)
    http://www.julianrocks.net/index.htm
  5. Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Meteorology: Samoa’s Biodiversity (April, 2006)
    http://www.mnre.gov.ws/biodiversity/popup_Marine.cfm?RecordID=101
  6. ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research (April, 2006)
    http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/shark_profiles/rhynchobatiformes.htm
  7. The Life and Times of Long Dead Sharks (April, 2006)
    http://www.elasmo.com/frameMe.html?file=batoids/extant/rhynchobatus_sp.html&menu=bin/menu_batoid-alt.html
  8. Martin, R.A. (2006) Pers. comm.
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