| Diagnosis: |
Vertebrae: 87-101. This species (based on the Arabian Sea material), measuring to at least 25 cm DW, is distinguished by the following set of characters: snout length 28-30% DW, angle 108-113°; disc is longer than wide; orbits are small, diameter 5-6% DW; nostrils 4-5% DW and internasal width 11-13% DW; tail is relatively short, longer in males (1.3-1.5 times DW) than in females (0.9-1.3 times DW), with rudimentary, ridge-like ventral fold and fleshy lateral ridges; pelvic fins are relatively small, length 17-19% DW; postcloacal length of clasper to 19% DW; scapular denticles1-5 (usually 1) are small, seed- or heart-shaped, no scute-like thorns on dorsal surface of disc; secondary denticle band is well developed and sharply demarcated in adults, not strongly constricted over branchial region, width across scapulocoracoid and over abdomen subequal, converging posteriorly near pectoral-fin insertions; tail with well-developed denticle band forward of sting, with 3-8 enlarged seed to weakly lanceolate denticles or small thorns (typically 2.5-5 mm long); dorsal surface predominantly, uniformly brownish when skin undamaged, disc margin slightly paler brown; ventral disc, pelvic fins, and tail white, margins of pectoral and pelvic fins dark; pectoral-fin radials 102-111; total vertebral count (excluding first synarcual centra) 87-101 (Ref. 130662). |
