Pacific shovelnose guitarfish

Overview

The shovelnose guitarfish is a ray in the family Rhinobatidae. P. productus was first described by ichthyologist William Orville Ayre in 1854 as Rhinobatos productus, with the genus derived from the Greek word rhinos, meaning nose, and the Latin word batis, meaning ray. It was later placed in the genus Pseudobatos following reconsideration of many species placed in Rhinobatos. As its common name suggests, this species possesses a pointed shovel-shaped snout and a body similar to that of a guitar with a larger head and long, slender body. The shovelnose is considered to be a primitively developed ray, with many features of both sharks and rays. The shovelnose guitarfish was first considered to be a shark because of its dorsal fins' shape. Fossils of P. productus ancestors have been recovered, dating back over 100 million years.

Where to Find Pacific shovelnose guitarfish

Frequently Asked Questions