Hypanus longus, commonly known as the longnose skate, is a species of ray belonging to the family Dasyatidae. It is a large and distinctive skate characterized by its elongated snout, which gives it its common name.
Description and Characteristics
Hypanus longus is a large ray, reaching a maximum size of 260.0 cm in length. It has a flattened, diamond-shaped body with a long, pointed snout and a pair of large, wing-like pectoral fins. The dorsal surface is typically brown or gray, often with darker blotches or spots. The ventral surface is lighter, usually white or cream-colored. The eyes are located on the top of the head, and the mouth is on the underside. Hypanus longus has a pair of barbels, or sensory appendages, located near the mouth, which are used to detect prey.
Habitat and Occurrence
Hypanus longus is a demersal fish, meaning it lives on or near the bottom of the ocean floor. It is typically found in shallow coastal waters, often in sandy or muddy bottoms. The longnose skate has a wide distribution, inhabiting the western Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico to the northern United States. It is a common species in the Gulf of Mexico, where it is a significant component of the benthic ecosystem. Hypanus longus is found in various marine zones, including the neritic zone, which extends from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf, and the epipelagic zone, which is the uppermost layer of the ocean where sunlight penetrates.
Taxonomy
Hypanus longus belongs to the Class: Elasmobranchii, which includes sharks, rays, and skates, and the Order: Myliobatiformes, a group of rays characterized by having a single dorsal fin and a flattened, disk-shaped body. It is a member of the family Dasyatidae, known for its stingrays, which possess a venomous spine on the tail used for defense.
Feeding
Hypanus longus is a carnivorous fish, feeding primarily on a variety of bottom-dwelling invertebrates, including crustaceans, mollusks, and polychaetes. It uses its barbels to detect prey buried in the sand and its strong jaws to crush hard-shelled invertebrates. The longnose skate is an important predator in its ecosystem, playing a role in regulating the populations of its prey species.
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