Shagreen Ray Leucoraja fullonica

Shagreen Ray 1
4
Leucoraja fullonica
3
Ventral view 
2
Scientific Name
common Name
Leucoraja fullonica (Linnaeus, 1758).
distribution
Northeast Atlantic from Russia and Iceland to Morocco
and Madeira, including the Mediterranean Seai.
Shagreen Ray, Shagreen Skate, Fuller’s Ray,
Fuller’s Shagreen Ray, Rough Flapper, French Ray,
Raie Chardon (Fr), Raya Cardadora (Es),
Razza Spinosa (It), Kaardrog (Ne).
NE Atl Med
Dorsal view 
identification
1Pronounced snout.
2 2 rows of ~50 large thorns either side of the midline
to first dorsal fin.
3 3–9 thorns in longitudinal row on upper part of head.
4 8 orbital thornsvi.
Adults solid ash grey/brown.
Inconspicuous darker lines may run across body.
Ventral surface white, some with dark snouti.
Biology and Size
Max TL: 120cmi.
NT
No Records
Occasional
Range
Med: DD
colour
Map base conforms with ICES grid squares.
Reported to move inshore during the spring in Icelandic
waters, most likely for feeding purposesv.
RJF
Prey on a variety of benthic species such as small
invertebrates and bony fishii.
Shagreen Ray
Supported by:
similar species
Amblyraja radiata, Starry Skate
Leucoraja circularis, Sandy Ray
teeth
58 (young)–68 (adult) rows in upper jaw. Pointed in
both sexesii.
Raja clavata, Thornback Ray
Raja microocellata, Small-eyed Ray (juv.)
Habitat
Demersal from 30–550m.
Found along outer continental shelves and occasionally
in inshore waters.
Thought to have a preference for rough groundiv.
conservation status
Biology and life history not well understood but high
potential for overfishingiv.
Red List status: Near Threatened (2008).
Data Deficient in Mediterranean.
commercial importance
No targeted fishery but it is taken in multispecies trawl
fisheries across its range.
Regularly taken by longline fisheries in the north of
their range.
When caught, they are often landed and sold for
human consumptioniv.
2009 – Species currently subject to TAC in EU waters.
Handling and thorn arrangement
Handle with care.
Shagreen Ray
Rows of strong thorns on midline.
Row of thorns on head.
Orbital thorns.
references
i. Agustin, L. Q; 2009. Fishbase.
ii. Clark, R. S; 1926. Fishery Board for Scotland.
iii. FAO; Unknown.
iv. Gibson, C. et al; 2006. IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group.
v Wheeler, A; 1969. Macmillan and Co. Ltd.
vi. Whitehead, P. J. P. et al; 1986. UNESCO.
vii. Zidowitz, H. et al; 2008. The Shark Alliance.
Eggcase
1 ~80mm in length (excluding horns).
2 ~ 50mm in widthiii.
Similar eggcase to the Sandy Ray, Leucoraja circularis,
and the Cuckoo Ray, Leucoraja naevus..
RJF01/01/09