Common Name
Blotched Sandskate
Year Described
Marini, 1932
Identification
Median thorns: no obvious center thorn row
Disk round with broad, rounded pectoral fins and a weakly concave anterior margin of disk (strongly concave in males). Snout short and soft with slightly convex lateral edges. Conical snout tip slightly projects and sometimes has a filamentous tip. Skin rough; and more so anteriorly and along the back. Ventrum quite smooth. Multiple orbital thorns in a crescent shape around each orbit. Patches of scapular thorns. A few nuchal thorns on midline. Several irregular rows of thorns on midline running onto tail. Tail thick and a bit longer than disk, with several rows of thorns. Caudal fin rudimentary. Dorsal fins are paired far back on tail, very close together, and very small. Pelvic fins in two lobes with a distinct notch. Claspers large. Mouth narrow. Nasal flaps broad with fringes. Teeth are conical and sharp (39-46 in upper jaw).
Color
The only member of the genus with a complex pattern of light spots, reticulations and blotches over a dark brown background. Tail banded in light and dark. Ventrum white.
Size
Maximum size to 61cm TL.
Habitat
Coastal waters from 10-80m. Benthic.
Range
Southwestern Atlantic: S. Brazil to N. Argentina.
References
Last, P.R., White, W.T., Carvalho, M.R. de, Séret, B., Stehmann, M.F.W & Naylor, G.J.P (Eds.). 2016. Rays of the World. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.
Other Notes
The only Psammobatis that is dark brown with light markings. All others are pale to medium brown with faint darker or no markings. The nearly round shape and rough disk separates it from Sympterygia bonapartii. Species of the genus Bathyraja differ in snout morphology and usually occur at much greater depths.