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Not just Shark Pictures: Elasmodiver contains photos of sharks, skates, rays, and chimaera's from around the world. It began as a simple web based field guide to help divers find the best places to encounter different species of sharks and rays but it has slowly evolved into a much larger project containing information on all aspects of shark diving and photography. There are now more than a thousand shark pictures and sections on shark evolution, biology, and conservation. There is a large library of reviewed shark books, a constantly outdated shark taxonomy page, a monster list of shark links, and deeper in the site there are numerous articles and stories about shark encounters. Elasmodiver is now so difficult to check for updates, that new information and pictures are listed on an Elasmodiver Updates Page that can be accessed here:
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ELASMODIVER EXPANDED If you're looking for a broader range of marine life pictures the following links represent a new area that contains pictures on other marine organisms and on marine habitats. This expansion of Elasmodiver is in its first stages but will eventually include pages on everything from sea stars to nudibranches. Creating this portal will take time and for now it consists of a token offering of fish pictures. Please return regularly to enjoy the progress.
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LONGNOSE SKATE |
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Photograph courtesy of Keith Clements The Marine Life Index View all available shark and ray images in the SHARKIVE Longnose skate Latin Name: Raja rhina Family: Rajidae Identification: Highly flattened body. Long pointed snout. Leading edges of pectoral fins are concave near tip of snout, convex around head and have a second more defined concavity behind head before extending outward to pointed tips. Trailing edge of pectorals broadly rounded. Pelvic fins distinct. Row of spines above each eye and from lower back along tail. Dorsum shades of brown with dark and/or pale spots. Prominent dark circle (eye) on each pectoral fin with light centers. Ventrum pale. Eyes proportionately larger than big skate. Size: Maximum length 120cm but usually from 60 to 90cm. Habitat: Sometimes seen on low lying kelp (broadleaf kelp) but generally found on gently sloping sand and mud bottoms usually below 20 meters to 600 meters. Inhabits coastal areas, estuaries, bays and continental shelves. Abundance and distribution: Once frequently encountered in British Columbia and Washington, Longnose skates are now uncommon from Alaska to Southern California. Behavior: Usually seen lying motionless on substrate or under sand with eyes protruding but occasionally seen actively foraging over soft bottoms. May occasionally enter shallows in search of food. Reproduction: Oviparous. Lays flattened egg capsule with hooked extensions on corners. Observations: Photographs: Puget Sound Similar species: Big skate - Raja binoculata distinguished by more kite shaped body and dark centers of occeli, California skate - Raja inornata, and Starry skate - Raja stellulata. Reaction to divers: Very docile. Remains motionless unless molested. Try not to hover directly above the body as this may cause it to bolt. Diving logistics: Rarely seen at a few locations along the North Pacific coastline. The photograph above was taken at Three Tree Point in Puget Sound where a few sighting have been made. Anyone finding a Longnose skate whilst diving is encouraged to contact the webmaster in order to built an information base of sightings. Useful information would include depth, time of year, and bottom composition. Other diving locations: References: Coastal Fish Identification, California to Alaska. - Paul Humann - New World Publications. Pacific Fishes of Canada - J.L.Hart. Fisheries Research board of Canada. Ottawa 1973. Coastal Fishes of the Pacific North West - Andy Lamb and Phil Edgell - Harbour Publishing |
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