Maugean Skate, Zearaja maugeana Last & Gledhill 2007

Scientific name: Zearaja maugeana
Alternative name/s:
Port Davey Skate
  • Updated
    19/06/24
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Maugean Skate, Zearaja maugeana Click to enlarge image
Maugean Skate, Zearaja maugeana. Image: Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO
© CC-BY-NC 3.0

Fast Facts

  • IUCN Conservation Status
    ENDANGERED (EN)
  • Classification
    Genus
    Zearaja
    Species
    maugeana
    Family
    Rajidae
    Order
    Rajiformes
    Class
    Chondrichthyes
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 87cm in length.

Introduction

The Maugean skate, also known as the Port Davey skate (Zearaja maugeana), is a ray species exclusively found in Western Tasmania.

What do Maugean Skates look like?

Identification

The Maugean Skate is a dark brown, medium-sized skate endemic to the upper reaches of Macquarie Harbour and Bathurst Harbour in western Tasmania.

Where do Maugean Skates live?

Habitat

The Maugean Skate is predominately found in shallower waters in brackish estuaries and is more active at night.

Distribution

The Maugean Skate has probably one of the most limited distributions of known shark and ray species. While the species appears to be relatively abundant in Macquarie Harbour, no sightings have occurred in Bathurst Harbour since the initial sightings in the late 1980s.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

What is the diet and life cycle of Maugean Skates?

Feeding and diet

The Maugean Skate primarily feeds on crustaceans such as crabs, carid shrimps, mysids and also fishes.

Life cycle

The Maugean Skate is oviparous (egg laying) and may breed throughout the year. Females mature between about 660 and 680 mm TL; males mature at ~620 mm TL.

Conservation status

Primary threats

The Maugean Skate is listed as Endangered by the IUCN. Significant threats facing the Maugean Skate include habitat degradation and loss, notably declines in dissolved oxygen levels and sediment health as well as unintentional by-catch in fishing nets.

References