Raja inornata

Ebert, David A. & Davis, Chante D., 2007, Descriptions of skate egg cases (Chondrichthyes: Rajiformes: Rajoidei) from the eastern North Pacific, Zootaxa 1393, pp. 1-18 : 11-12

Raja inornata Jordan & Gilbert, 1881

Description: The egg cases of Raja inornata ( Figure 9) are very small, 68 to 73 mm in length from anterior to posterior apron borders, with MAW about 73–77% of ECL. Egg case surfaces finely striated, without fibrous covering, and very smooth to the touch. LKW is very broad, about 17–25% of MAW, and extending length of case including outer edge of horns; keels absent or very minute along inner horn edge. Attachment fibers not present. Anterior apron border broad, concave, anterior horns about 34–52% of ECL, curling ventrally, and flattening and hook­like towards tips. Posterior apron nearly straight, broad, transverse, and about 4–6 mm wider than anterior apron width. Posterior horns relatively short, about one­half ECL, curved, and flattening towards tips. Preserved egg case color dark brown becoming lighter on keels.

Remarks: The present description of this egg case differs from the original description by Cox (1963) in that we did not observe attachment fibers to be present in any of the specimens examined. Also, Cox (1963) did not comment on the broad lateral keels of these egg cases which we found to be a good characteristic for separating between similar looking egg cases, but from different species.

Material examined: Ten egg cases all deposited between July and August 2005 by R. inornata specimens held at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Two of these egg cases accessioned as CAS 224342.