The Hyuga fanray (Platyrhina hyugaensis) is a type of ray of the family Platyrhinidae. It is an endemic species of southern Japan and inhabits shallow region at the depths of 1–50 m (3 ft 3 in – 164 ft 1 in).[2] The population of this ray are decreasing due to continuous human exploitation.[1][3]
Description
The Hyuga fanray can be differentiated from its congeners because of numerous characteristics, including a pair of thorns on anterior part of scapular section, a row of thorns on mid-dorsum of tail, and dermal denticles of uniform size and shape covering the dorsal surface.[2]
Habitat and distribution
This species is known to live in the continental shelf at depths of 1–50 m (3 ft 3 in – 164 ft 1 in). Its endemic and common habitat is Hyūga Sea in southern Miyazaki Prefecture, although there have also been several discoveries in Kagoshima and Mie Prefectures.[1][2]
The Hyuga fanray experiences a decline in population because it is often taken as bycatch with gillnets or trawls, and probably is used for human consumption.[1] It is predicted that the ray has undergone a population depletion of up to 49% over the past 21 years.[1]
