Onefin electric ray
The onefin electric ray or Cape numbfish is a common but little-known species of electric ray in the family Narkidae, native to South Africa and Namibia. It is a benthic fish found in shallow coastal bays over sandy or muddy bottoms. This small species reaches in length, and has a nearly circular pectoral fin disc and a short, muscular tail that supports a large caudal fin. It can be identified by its single dorsal fin, which is located over the large pelvic fins. Its dorsal coloration is yellowish to dusky brown.
Like other members of its family, the onefin electric ray can defend itself with a strong electric shock produced from a pair of kidney-shaped electric organs beside its head. It feeds mainly on polychaete worms, and likely gives birth to live young. The International Union for Conservation of Nature presently lacks enough information to assess the conservation status of this species. It is often caught incidentally by bottom trawl fisheries off South Africa, and may also be impacted by pollution from coastal development.
Taxonomy
The onefin electric ray was described by German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789, in the 13th edition of Systema Naturae. Gmelin's name for the species was printed as Raja capensis in some copies of the book, and as Raja rapensis in others. The original spelling was probably rapensis, which modern taxonomists regard as a typesetting error as the etymology of capensis is far more reasonable. Later sources have consistently used capensis, though to officially fix the specific epithet under that spelling would require a decision by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. Gmelin did not refer to any type specimens. In 1826, German naturalist Johann Jakob Kaup created the new genus Narke for this species, separating it from the other electric rays known at the time on the basis of its curved back and single dorsal fin. Later, more species were assigned to Narke.Description
The pectoral fin disc of the onefin electric ray is wider than long and almost circular in shape. The two large, kidney-shaped electric organs are visible beneath the skin on either side of the head. The eyes are small and protruding; the larger spiracles lie closely behind and have three small finger-like projections on their rims. The nostrils are placed rather close together, and between them is a long skirt-like flap of skin that reaches the mouth. The small and protrusible mouth is nearly straight and surrounded by prominent furrows. The teeth are tiny and pointed. There are five pairs of small gill slits on the underside of the disc.The large and broad pelvic fins have convex margins and originate beneath the pectoral fins. Adult males have stubby claspers. There is a single rounded dorsal fin positioned over the pelvic fins. The short and thick tail has a skin fold running along either side and terminates in a large triangular caudal fin with rounded corners, which is almost symmetrical above and below. The soft skin is completely devoid of dermal denticles. This species varies from yellowish brown to dusky brown above; parts of the tail's upper surface are yellowish. The underside is white to yellow with brown fin margins. It grows up to long and across, though individuals of this size are rare.