Record of a critically endangered skate, Leucoraja melitensis (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae) from Tunisian Coast (Central Mediterranean)

Abstract

The authors report the capture of a specimen of the Maltese skate Leucoraja melitensis (Clark, 1926) from the northern coast of Tunisia. The specimen was a juvenile female having 270 mm in total length, 136 mm in disc width, and weighing 80.2 g. The species was previously common in the area, but at present it is becoming very rare indicating a drastic decline as in the other Mediterranean areas where it was found. Such parameter explained why L. melitensis is considered as species critically endangered.