• Corpus ID: 89164582

Electrolux addisoni, a new genus and species of electric ray from the east coast of South Africa (Rajiformes: Torpedinoidei: Narkidae), with a review of torpedinoid taxonomy

@inproceedings{Compagno2007ElectroluxAA,
  title={Electrolux addisoni, a new genus and species of electric ray from the east coast of South Africa (Rajiformes: Torpedinoidei: Narkidae), with a review of torpedinoid taxonomy},
  author={Leonard J. V. Compagno and Phillip C. Heemstra},
  year={2007}
}

• L. Compagno, P. Heemstra
• Published 5 September 2007
• Biology

A new genus and species of sleeper ray, Electrolux addisoni (Family
Narkidae), with two dorsal fins is described from two adult males
(total lengths 50 and 52 cm) caught on a shallow reef off the east
coast of South Africa. Electrolux is distinguished from other genera of
Narkidae by its prominent spiracular papillae, the morphology of its
nostrils, nasal curtain, mouth, jaws, chondrocranium, basibranchial
skeleton, pectoral and pelvic girdles, and unique and complex colour
pattern. It has higher vertebral, pectoral radial, tooth and intestinal
valve counts than other narkids and reaches a greater size than all
species with the possibly exception of Typhlonarke aysoni . Taxonomic
definitions are provided for the electric rays, for the family
Narkidae, and for Electrolux, as well as keys to families of electric
rays and to the genera of Narkidae. The systematics of the narkid genus
Heteronarce is reviewed and the genus validated. Members of the
Narkidae may include the smallest, or at least the shortest, living
chondrichthyans (Temera hardwickii and an undescribed species of
Narke). Electrolux addisoni is a reef-dweller that eats polychaete
worms and small crustaceans, and has been photographed and videotaped
by divers while actively feeding in the daytime. The conspicuous dorsal
colour pattern may be aposematic, as the ray was seen to make a
possible threat display when closely approached. Electrolux addisoni is
recorded from four localities along an approximately 310 km. strip of
coastline from Coffee Bay, Eastern Cape Province, to just north of
Durban, kwaZulu-Natal inside the 50 m isobath. This conspicuous, active
ray is known only from a few diver records from reefs reported over
approximately two decades, and its conservation status needs to be
critically assessed.