Sharpnose Guitarfish [Pseudobatos]

Description

The genus Pseudobatos comprises a group of rays known as sharpnose guitarfishes, belonging to the family Glaucostegidae. These species are recognized by their slender, elongated bodies and pointed snouts, which give them their common name. Sharpnose guitarfishes inhabit a range of coastal environments, including sandy, muddy, and rocky bottoms, as well as estuaries, throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the eastern Pacific Ocean. They feed on a variety of prey, such as crustaceans, mollusks, and small fishes. Pseudobatos species are ovoviviparous, with females giving birth to live young after the eggs hatch internally. The unique body shape and habitat preferences of these rays make them fascinating subjects of study, though they are also at risk from overfishing and habitat degradation.

Species

Taxonomy