Some Resemblances and Differences Between Raja erinacea and Raja ocellata, Including a Method of Separating Mature and Large-Immature Individuals of These Two Species
Raja erinacea Mitchill and Raja ocellata Mitchill are now distinguished by differences in tooth count and, in larger specimens, by size, size at sexual maturity, and eye spots when present in R. ocellata. The presence of distinct eye spots in the typical R. ocellata position in some R. erinacea was recorded. Separation of mature and large-immature male and female individuals of these two species was achieved by means of ventral pelvic denticles located in different positions in the two species, closer to the cloaca in female R. erinacea and more laterally on the pelvic fins in female R. ocellata. These pelvic denticles occur also in mature and maturing male R. ocellata but not in male R. erinacea. The denticles are much smaller and more numerous in R. erinacea and have relatively smaller sharp-angled bases with usually 4 and occasionally 5–6 rays. In R. ocellata the bases of the denticles are usually much larger, have 4–11 or more rays, usually with rounded tips.