| Platyrhina | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Fanray (P. sinensis) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Order: | Torpediniformes |
| Family: | Platyrhinidae |
| Genus: | Platyrhina J. P. Müller &Henle, 1838 |
| Type species | |
| Rhina sinensis Bloch & J. G. Schneider, 1801 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Platyrhina is agenus ofrays in thefamilyPlatyrhinidae, containing three species. They are native to the warm-temperate to tropicalmarine waters in the westernPacific Ocean. They are little-knownbottom-dwellers that feed on smallinvertebrates such ascrustaceans,molluscs, andworms.[1] The fanray is found inshore to a depth of 60 m on rocky or rocksandy bottoms.[2]
Platyrhina species have rounded, heart-shapedpectoral fin discs with short, bluntsnouts. Their tails are long andshark-like, slightly flattened with lateral ridges. The twodorsal fins and thecaudal fin are large and rounded; the caudal fin lacks a lower lobe.[1] The teeth are small and arranged in pavement-like rows for crushing shelled prey.[citation needed] Their bodies are covered with minutedermal denticles; also, several rows of denticles are located inside thebuccopharyngeal cavity. The shape of these denticles inPlatyrhina and the similarPlatyrhinoidis distinguish them from all other guitarfish species. Large thorns occur around the eyes and on the shoulders, and are arranged in rows along the back and tail. UnlikePlatyrhinoidis,Platyrhina species have an additional lateral row of thorns on both sides of the tail, and norostral thorns.[3]
As far as known, they areovoviviparous, with the developingfetuses primarily sustained by largeyolk sacs.[1] Research on fanrays inAriake Bay, Japan, indicates they are faster-growing, earlier-maturing, and shorter-lived than many otherray species. Male fanrays mature at 2.1 years and females at 2.9 years; the females grow larger and more slowly than males. The maximum known age is 5 years for males and 12 years for females.[4] These rays are typically inoffensive, but care should be exercised regarding their large, sharp thorns.[1]
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