Cuckoo ray (Leucoraja naevus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Leucoraja naevus
- Common name
- Cuckoo ray
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Rajidae
- Genus
- Leucoraja
- Size
- 50–85 cm
- Depth
- 20–650 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Caution
- Habitats
- sand
- Behaviours
- solitary, benthic
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Mediterranean
Description
Leucoraja naevus reaches 85 cm. Small ray with a diamond-shaped disc, dorsal side marbled grey-brown marked with two characteristic ocelli: large dark spots ringed in bright yellow placed symmetrically on mid-pectoral. Oviparous: lays rectangular horned egg cases. Lives on sandy and muddy bottoms of the NE Atlantic (Norway to Morocco, western Mediterranean) between 20 and 650 m. Significant commercial fishery.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Cuckoo ray?
- Cuckoo ray (Leucoraja naevus) reaches 50–85 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Cuckoo ray?
- Cuckoo ray is found between 20–650 m deep.
- Is the Cuckoo ray dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Caution.
- What is the conservation status of the Cuckoo ray?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Cuckoo ray?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Mediterranean.
Other species in the family Rajidae
- Dipturus batis - Common skate
- Dipturus oxyrinchus - Longnose skate
- Amblyraja radiata - Starry ray
- Raja brachyura - Blonde ray
- Raja microocellata - Small-eyed ray
- Raja clavata - Thornback ray
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 105876)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2419875)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia