Atlantic Torpedo Ray (Tetronarce nobiliana)
B
C A
C D
Scientific Classification: Species Identification:
Class: Chondrichthyes (fish with cartilogenous skeletons) Morphology: Order: Torpediniformes A). Large ray with a huge, paddle-shaped caudal fin and with no Family: Torpedinidae papillae around spiracles. Genus: Tetronarce B). Broad subcircular disc, short snout anterior to the eyes Species: T. nobiliana C). Smooth skin, short thick tail (Bonaparte, 1835). D). No pappillae around spiracles
Teeth: Distribu tion: - Small, curved, single-cusped teeth arranged in bandsor rows.
Colouration: - Dark chocolate to purplish brown above, without spots, white below, but with edges of disc and pelvic fins of same hue as upper surface, tail with irregular dark margin
Size: Adults reach a maximum length of 1.8 meters. Common length 40 cm. Size at birth about 23 cm.
Widely distributed in cool waters on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In Biology the east, it is found from northern Scotland to the Gulf of Guinea, including the entire Mediterranean Sea (but not the Black Sea), the Azores, and Madeira, as well as from Namibia to western South Bioelectricity: the Atlantic torpedo ray may be the most Africa. In the west, it occurs from southern Nova electrosensitive of all animals. Their eyes are on the top of their Scotia to Venezuela and Brazil. It is rare in the North Sea and the heads, resulting in poor vision that must be compensated for the Mediterranean and south of North Carolina. use of other senses, including detecting electricity. It has two large electric organs on each side of its head, where current passes from the lower to the upper surface of the body.. The main nerves Ecology: branch repeatedly, then attach to the lower side of each plate, which are composed of hexagonal columns, and each column Habitat: consists of 140 to half a million gelatinous plates. An average electric ray may electrocute larger prey with a current of up to 30 Found on insular slopes to at least 925 m depth. Juveniles amps and 50 to 200 volts, a similar effect to dropping a mains- benthic over soft bottoms or near coral reefs from 10-150 m; powered hair dryer into a bathtub. adults are semi-pelagic to pelagic, swimming in the water column and have been reported to migrate over long Reproduction: distances. Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the
mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, Diet: Feeds mainly on pelagic and benthic bony fishes and fat or protein through specialised structures. With up to 60 in a small sharks. *Packs a powerful electric shock of up to 220 litter. Gestation period one year. volts* - used to stun prey and for defense. Lifespan: data deficient. Copyright ©O.R.C.Ireland2019.