taxonID	type	description	language	source
CC226640DA7BFF8EFF787F5AFEB4BB89.taxon	description	Description. Disc semi-oval to heart-shaped with broadly rounded outer pectoral-fin corners. Snout with small fleshy process at tip. Pelvic fins deeply incised, anterior lobe narrow and broadly rounded distally. Tail moderately elongate, slender, slightly depressed, tapering gradually. First dorsal fin subequal in height and length to second dorsal fin; dorsal fins confluent or separate; epichordal caudal-fin lobe low, separate or confluent with second dorsal fin. Anterior and posterior nasal flaps without fringes, without oronasal pits. Jaws arched slightly, not protractile. Teeth plate-like, arranged quincuncially; cusps blunt, broadly rounded; cusps sharp, pointed near symphysis in mature males. Clasper slender, short, constricted rather than expanded at origin of glans; without dermal denticles or pseudosiphon; glans moderately expandable; inner dorsal lobe with pseudorhipidion extending from level of hypopyle to about distal one-third of glans; slit located laterally to distal portion of pseudorhipidion; spur mostly well developed; cleft medial to spur, with ribbon-like tissue in floor, passing distally from under slit to variable posterior position; rhipidion slightly pitted in texture, sometimes rotated laterally; spike disc-shaped with a sharp naked lateral margin, ventral to sentinel; distal margin of dorsal marginal truncate, with an inner extension entering glans and forming pseudorhipidion; proximal and distal margins of dorsal terminal 1 jagged; dorsal terminal 2 broad, fused to distal and disto-lateral surface of dorsal marginal (usually sutured); dorsal terminal 3 fused with dorsal terminal 2, with a distally pointed and laterally curved extension forming spur; terminal bridge absent, incomplete or slender; accessory terminal 1 Y-shaped, fused with distal surface of ventral marginal (joint unclear); accessory terminal 2 short, attached to accessory terminal 1, with a dorsoventrally flattened disc-shaped extension forming spike. Neurocranium with rostral shaft short, slender, fused to flattened rostral node anteriorly, widely separated from rostral base and neurocranium; rostral appendices short, irregular, asymmetrical, free of rostral shaft posteriorly, often with accessory lateral cartilages, generally plate-like (when extended posteriorly becoming conical); 1 – 4 foramina on rostral appendices, often incomplete, anterior foramen largest; propterygia of pectoral girdle reaching rostral node; nasal capsule with basal fenestra; anterior fontanelle, interorbital region and internarial plate moderately narrow; foramen for anterior cerebral vein posterior to line connecting foramina for preorbital and orbito-nasal canals; anterior fontanelle tear-shaped; posterior fontanelle trapezoid-shaped; trochlear nerve foramen posterior and dorsal to optic nerve foramen; orbital fissure located on posterior aspect of orbit, anterior to foramen for hyomandibular branch of facial nerve and posterior to foramen of interorbital vein; jugal arches slender; single foramen for internal carotid artery; posterior cerebral vein foramen absent. Scapulocoracoid moderately short, longer than deep, tapering slightly posteriorly; no anterior bridge; anterior fenestra subcircular to suboval, often slightly expanded dorsally, slightly smaller than posterior fenestra; posterior fenestra rounded or elongate oval; mesocondyle not expanded; neopterygial ridge incomplete; 2 – 4 postventral foramina. Comparisons. Members of the genus Pavoraja (sensu McEachran, 1984) are unique within a rajoid subgroup, including putative allied genera Brochiraja (as ‘ subgenus A’ in McEachran and Miyake, 1990), Irolita, Notoraja, and Pseudoraja, that form part of the tribe Arhynchobatini of McEachran and Dunn (1998). Pavoraja shares important aspects of clasper morphology with these groups (unknown in Pseudoraja): ventral terminal cartilage lacking a sharp-edged lateral margin forming a component shield (sometimes present in Notoraja); and the accessory terminal 2 cartilage with a disc-shaped extension forming a component spike. However, Pavoraja species have three dorsal terminal cartilages (otherwise with only dorsal terminal cartilages 1 and 2) and the tip of the dorsal terminal 3 cartilage forms a component spur.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA7BFF8EFF787F5AFEB4BB89.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The new Pavoraja species conform closely with McEachran’s (1984) definition of the genus, apart from two exceptions. The number of trunk vertebral centra increased to 25 – 31 (from 26 – 29), and the tail length was found to be variable (50 – 64 % of TL rather than slightly less or greater than 60 % of TL). The scapulocoracoid is generally conservative in morphology (Fig. 2 a – f), but intraspecific variability exists in at least one character (the presence of 3 postventral foramina) that was considered to be diagnostic of the genus by McEachran and Fechhelm (1982). The paratype of P. a l l e n i (figure provided with original description) has 2 equal-size postventral foramina with a smaller one centrally. Four specimens (2 of each sex) had either the configuration of the paratype, or only 2 postventral foramina with the anterior foramina slightly larger (Figs 2 a, e, f); these characters were not sexually dimorphic. All other specimens of Pavoraja species examined, with the exception of P. nitida which had 4 foramina (Fig. 2 d), possessed one of these configurations. Similarly, the extent of development of neopterygial ridge varies within the genus. In addition to its longitudinal extension, its level of elevation varies, and extra 1 – 3 small condyles are sometimes present at its posterior extremity.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA7DFF86FF7878AAFE40BBD9.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. WAM P 19118 – 001, 297 mm TL, adult male, near Rowley Shoals, Western Australia, 17 ° 17 ' S, 119 ° 57 ' E, 350 m, 20 Dec. 1969. Other material. 33 specimens (112 – 349 mm TL). AMS I 23423 – 006 (3 specimens), 258 mm TL, juvenile male; 317 mm TL, adult male; 339 mm TL, female, northern Western Australia, 18 ° 01 ' S, 118 ° 23 ' E, 376 m, 1 Aug. 1982; CSIRO CA 2833, 216 mm TL, juvenile male, south-west of Imperieuse Reef, Western Australia 17 ° 48 ' S, 118 ° 30 ' E, 404 m, 3 Apr. 1982; CSIRO CA 3926, 281 mm TL, adolescent male; CSIRO CA 3927, 283 mm TL, female; CSIRO CA 3928, 270 mm TL, female; CSIRO CA 3929, 292 mm TL, adult male, south of Imperieuse Reef, Western Australia, 17 ° 40 ' S, 119 ° 01 ' E, 318 – 360 m, 6 Feb. 1983; CSIRO CA 4332, 294 mm TL, adult male, north of Imperieuse Reef, Western Australia, 18 ° 03 ' S, 118 ° 13 ' E, 418 – 420 m, 5 Feb. 1983; CSIRO CA 4345, 298 mm TL, female; CSIRO CA 4346, 269 mm TL, female; CSIRO CA 4348, 295 mm TL, female, north of Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia; 18 ° 54 ' S, 116 ° 11 ' E, 402 – 404 m, 30 Jan. 1984; CSIRO CA 4357, 320 mm TL, female, south-west of Imperieuse Reef, Western Australia, 18 ° 01 ' S, 118 ° 15 ' E, 396 – 412 m, 28 Jan. 1984; CSIRO CA 4360, 315 mm TL, adolescent male, off Port Hedland, Western Australia, 18 ° 34 ' S, 117 ° 35 ' E, 356 – 358 m, 1 Feb. 1984; CSIRO CA 4366, 297 mm TL, female; CSIRO CA 4369, 305 mm TL, adult male, south-east of Mermaid Reef, Western Australia; 17 ° 17 ' S, 120 ° 12 ' E, 304 – 305 m, 4 Feb. 1984; CSIRO CA 4374, 167 mm TL, female, north-west of Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia, 18 ° 53 ' S, 116 ° 10 ' E, 456 – 458 m, 30 Jan. 1984; CSIRO CA 4376, 337 mm TL, female, CSIRO CA 4378, 349 mm TL, female, CSIRO CA 4379, 289 mm TL, adult male, north of Legendre Island, Western Australia, 18 ° 46 ' S, 117 ° 08 ' E, 350 – 354 m, 31 Jan. 1984; CSIRO CA 4392, 297 mm TL, adult male, north-east of Monte Bello Islands, Western Australia, 19 ° 19 ' S, 115 ° 45 ' E, 306 – 308 m, 29 Jan. 1984; CSIRO CA 4398, 220 mm TL, female; CSIRO CA 4399, 242 mm TL, female; CSIRO CA 4400, 227 mm TL, female; near Imperieuse Reef, Western Australia; 17 ° 58 ' S, 118 ° 22 ' E, 406 – 416 m, 28 Jan. 1984; CSIRO CA 4404, 255 mm TL, juvenile male, south-east of Scott Reef, west of Bonaparte Archipelago, Western Australia, 14 ° 10 ' S, 122 ° 35 ' E, 348 – 350 m, 14 Feb. 1984; CSIRO CA 4412, 317 mm TL, female; CSIRO CA 4415, 331 mm TL, female; CSIRO CA 4417, 332 mm TL, female; near Monte Bello Islands, Western Australia, 19 ° 20 ' S, 115 ° 41 ' E, 348 – 352 m, 29 Jan. 1984; CSIRO T 1356, 217 mm TL, female; CSIRO T 1357, 150 mm TL, female; CSIRO T 1358, 158 mm TL, female; CSIRO T 1359, 256 mm TL, juvenile male; south of Imperieuse Reef, Western Australia, 17 ° 40 ' S, 119 ° 01 ' E, 318 – 360 m, 6 Feb. 1983; CSIRO H 1637 – 01 (smallest of 5 specimens), 112 mm TL, female, south-west of Rowley Shoals, Western Australia, 17 ° 39 ' S, 118 ° 40 ' E, 410 m, 22 Aug. 1988; CSIRO H 6583 – 01, 100 mm TL, female, off Nickol Bay, Western Australia 18 ° 46 ' S, 116 ° 54 ' E, 400 –– 404 m, 13 Jun. 2007.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA7DFF86FF7878AAFE40BBD9.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A species of Pavoraja with: a relatively long, narrow tail, length 55 – 59 % TL, width at midlength 1.1 – 2.0 % TL; small orbits, diameter 3.8 – 5.2 % TL; widely spaced gill slits, width between first fill openings 11.8 – 13.8 % TL; broad interorbital space, width 2.7 – 4.0 % TL; broad nasal curtain, total width 6.2 – 8.2 % TL; orbital thorns large, mostly 2 or 3 on posteromedial margin; interorbital, spiracular and scapular thorns sometimes present; nuchal pore patch small or barely detectable, rarely preceded by a nuchal thorn; thorns of tail series smaller, less dense near first dorsal fin than those anteriorly; interdorsal space relatively long, generally subequal to or shorter than first dorsal-fin base; epichordal lobe of caudal fin not confluent with second dorsal fin, base of lobe subequal to dorsal-fin bases; tooth rows in lower jaw 32 – 40; predorsal caudal centra 73 – 79; interdorsal vertebrae 9 – 12; pectoral radials 64 – 66; pale yellowish brown, often with faint dusky blotches, lacking pattern of white spots; dorsal fins usually greyish centrally with paler outer margins; epichordal lobe usually dusky, not strongly demarcated from dorsal fins; ventral surface almost uniformly whitish, outer corners of disc not conspicuously darker. B, P. a ren ar ia sp. nov., paratype CSIRO H 173 – 01, 288 mm TL;	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA7DFF86FF7878AAFE40BBD9.taxon	description	C, P. m o s a i c a sp. nov., holotype CSIRO H 643 – 02, 274 mm TL; D, P. nitida, CSIRO H 135 – 01, 342 mm TL; E, P. pseudonitida sp. nov., holotype CSIRO H 438 – 01, 372 mm TL; F, P. umbrosa sp. nov., paratype CSIRO T 1363 – 01, 369 mm TL. cf – cleft, hy – hypopyle, pr – pseudorhipidion, rh – rhipidion, sl – slit, sp – spike, sr – spur, st – sentinel. B, P. a ren ar ia sp. nov., paratype CSIRO H 174 – 01, female 307 mm TL; C, P. m o s a i c a sp. nov., paratype CSIRO H 652 – 01, female 279 mm TL; D, P. nitida, CSIRO H 138 – 01, female 335 mm TL; E, P. pseudonitida sp. nov., paratype CSIRO H 442 – 01, female 344 mm TL; F, P. umbrosa sp. nov., paratype CSIRO T 1364 – 01, female 309 mm TL. af – anterior fontanelle, msc – mesocondyle, mtc – metacondyle, pdfe – postdorsal fenestra, prc – procondyle, pvf – postventral foramina, scp – scapular process. Description. Disc 1.05 – 1.17 times as broad as long; maximum angle in front of spiracles 94 – 102 °; snout angular or broadly rounded in adult males; anterior margin weakly convex or straight in females and immature males, mostly deeply double convex in adult males (deeply concave besides spiracles); posterior margin strongly convex; outer corners broadly rounded. Snout width at axis through anterior border of orbits 59 – 65 % in mature males, 69 – 82 % in females of distance from tip of snout to axil of pectoral fins. Pelvic-fin anterior margin 59 – 98 % of distance from origin of anterior lobe to posterior extremity of fin. Tail length 1.13 – 1.40 times disc length; widths at midlength and at axils of pelvic fins 27 – 50 % and 67 – 115 % of orbit diameter respectively; skin fold extremely narrow anteriorly, extending along ventrolateral surface from over or slightly behind pelvic-fin tip to near origin of hypochordal lobe of caudal fin, widening markedly over dorsal fins (subequal to height of epichordal lobe of caudal fin). Interdorsal distance long, variable, generally subequal to or shorter than first dorsal-fin base; epichordal caudal-fin lobe not connected to base of second dorsal fin, base subequal to bases of dorsal fins; female CSIRO CA 4400 with a single dorsal fin. Preocular length 2.00 – 3.25 times longer than orbit diameter; preoral length 2.06 – 2.92 times internarial distance. Orbit diameter 1.11 – 1.53 times interorbital distance; 1.43 – 2.20 times length of spiracles. Internarial distance 0.36 – 0.45 in distance between first gill slits; 0.56 – 0.81 in distance between fifth gill slits. Length of first gill slit 0.80 – 1.59 times length of fifth gill slit; 0.11 – 0.26 in mouth width. Dorsal surfaces of disc, tail and posterior lobes of pelvic fins densely covered with fine denticles; dorsal fins and epichordal lobe lightly denticulate or naked. Claspers, anterior lobes of pelvic fins, skin folds on tail, and entire ventral surface naked. Orbit of adult individuals with 1 – 4 (mostly 2 or 3) thorns on anteromedial margin, 1 – 5 (mostly 2 or 3) on posteromedial margin, 0 – 1 (rarely 1) on medial margin; adults occasionally with a pair of interspiracular thorns and a single interorbital thorn. Prenuchal and nuchal thorns 1 – 6 (mostly 3 or 4), prominent, mostly situated posterior to pale, pored prenuchal area (first rarely in advance of pored area); single transverse row of thorns across scapulocoracoid in some adults (both males and females). Three series of moderately large, closely set, thorns on tail (single linear row in juveniles, dorsolateral rows emergent at about 250 mm TL); thorns minute, absent or sparse in all rows for about a snout length forward of first dorsal fin; tail rows extending variably onto disc to about its midlength (less persistent in smaller individuals); medial series regular, prominent, originating near level of pectoral-fin insertion; interdorsal thorns rarely present; dorsolateral series usually penetrating further anteriorly than median series. Alar thorns small, nonretractable, in 1 – 3 (rarely 4 – 5) irregular rows, not developed into dense patch of irregularly shaped thorns; malar thorns slightly smaller; malar thorn patch small, merging with alar thorns near anterolateral margin of disc, extending anteriorly to about level with nuchal pore patch; sometimes with a small isolated patch of minute thorns on lateral disc margin at anterior border of orbits. Smallest juveniles without disc thorns; tail with a single median row of thorns; tail thorns much larger than adjacent denticles; midline of tail adjacent thorns naked. FIGURE 6. Right clasper cartilages of Pavoraja alleni, CSIRO CA 4332, adult male 294 mm TL: A, Lateral view, partially expanded with dorsal and ventral terminal cartilages shown separately; B, Dorsal view; C, Ventral view. Right clasper cartilages of P. a re n a r i a sp. nov., paratype CSIRO H 173 – 01, 288 mm TL; D, Lateral view, partially expanded with dorsal and ventral terminal cartilages shown separately; E, Dorsal view; F, Ventral view. atr 1 – accessory terminal 1, atr 2 – accessory terminal 2, ax – axial, dmg – dorsal marginal, dtr 1 – dorsal terminal 1, dtr 2 – dorsal terminal 2, dtr 3 – dorsal terminal 3, tb – terminal bridge, vmg – ventral marginal, vtr – ventral terminal. Claspers very slender (Figs 6 a – c); inner dorsal lobe continuing distally under sentinel to distal one-quarter of glans as fold of integument; spur passing under slit proximally, the distal tip either lying on or slightly outside glans margin; rhipidion poorly to well developed, running from proximal one-third to distal one-third of glans, distal section lying over base of sentinel; sentinel shape variable, generally rod-shaped and extending to near glans margin, occasionally curved laterally and extending past glans tip; spike visible within sentina; axial cartilage curved laterally, slender; dorsal marginal little expanded distally, inner extension of distal margin initially expanded to a blade-like edge and then gradually thinning to a point; ventral marginal with truncated distal margin (joint unclear); dorsal terminal 1 and ventral terminal narrowly joined on ventral aspect of glans, forming sheath-like covering over central half of glans; dorsal terminal 1 membranous; ventral terminal mostly membranous, with thickened area immediately distal to proximal arm; arm just penetrating glans to lie against dorsal margin of proximal extension of accessory terminal 1; dorsal terminal 2 with poorly defined cartilaginous projection joined to axial near level of accessory terminal 2 base by connective tissue (incomplete terminal bridge), lateral margin not jagged or serrated; dorsal terminal 3 moderately large; accessory terminal 1 with a laterally curved or S-shaped distal extension forming sentinel, extending to near axial tip. Neurocranium of CSIRO CA 4417 typical of genus; with one accessory lateral cartilage on each side of rostral appendices; 2 foramina on rostral node; rostral shaft subequal to length of basal fenestra; posterior fontanelle relatively short. Scapulocoracoid mostly with 3 postventral foramina (middle smallest when present), otherwise with 2 large foramina; additional condyle sometimes present on neopterygial ridge. Meristics (n = 11). Tooth rows in upper jaw 38 (33 – 40), in lower jaw 37 (32 – 40). Vertebral counts: monospondylous centra 25 (25 – 26), predorsal caudal centra 77 (73 – 79), interdorsal centra 10 (9 – 12), diplospondylous centra 112 (106 – 115), total centra 137 (131 – 141). Pectoral-fin counts: propterygial radials 29 (29 – 32), mesopterygial radials 12 (9 – 12), metapterygial radials 24 (22 – 26), total radials 65 (64 – 66). Pelvic-fin counts: males 3 (3 – 4) + 15 (15 – 17) radials, females 3 – 4 + 15 – 18 radials. Coloration. Preserved and live colour similar. Dorsal surfaces of disc, tail, claspers and posterior pelvicfin lobes yellowish to pale brown; disc scattered with large, slightly darker, diffuse-edged, dark brown blotches; dark narrow bands evident on tail; blotches most prominent in immatures, almost undetectable in some adults; dark brown triangular patch usually present on scapular arch, just posterior to pale pored nuchal area; pale nuchal area small, often barely detectable; mid snout region pale, bordered laterally by darker diagonal stripes that follow propterygia; outer area of disc and posterior lobes of pelvic fins paler than central regions; anterior lobes of pelvic fins white; orbital membrane semi-translucent, lightly pigmented. Dorsal fins dusky grey centrally, generally with pale or translucent outer margins, fin bases sometimes pale. Epichordal lobe usually dusky, not strongly demarcated from dorsal fins. Ventral surface almost uniformly whitish; outer corners of disc not conspicuously darker. Juvenile (e. g. CSIRO H 6583 – 01, 100 mm TL) pale yellowish with fine dark spots and larger dusky blotches on dorsal surface of disc; about 4 dark bands on anterior and middle of tail; prominent dark bars on and below dorsal fins and on postdorsal tail; translucent ventrally. Specimens about 150 mm TL and larger have adult dorsal coloration. Size. At least 349 mm TL and about 176 mm disc width; males usually mature by 289 mm TL but one specimen (CSIRO CA 4360) was adolescent at 315 mm TL. Smallest post-natal specimen (CSIRO H 1637 – 01) was 112 mm TL.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA7DFF86FF7878AAFE40BBD9.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Distributed along the upper continental slope off Western Australia, between north-east of the Monte Bello Islands (19 ° 21 ' S, 115 ° 42 ' E) and the Bonaparte Archipelago (14 ° 11 ' S, 122 ° 35 ' E), in depths of 304 – 458 m. Comparisons. This northwestern Australian species differs from an allopatric southern species, P. nitida, in coloration morphometrics and meristics. Our material of P. alleni has more predorsal caudal centra 73 – 79 (62 – 70), marginally more interdorsal centra 9 – 12 (8 – 10), and fewer pectoral radials 64 – 66 (70 – 74). It also has a longer and narrower tail (length 55 – 59 % vs. 52 – 57 % TL), slightly smaller orbits (diameter 3.8 – 5.2 % vs. 4.5 – 5.7 % TL), and smaller tail thorns. The epichordal lobe of the caudal fin of P. alleni is not confluent with the second dorsal fin (rather than mostly confluent), and the base of this lobe is longer than the dorsal-fin bases (equal in length or shorter). Also the dorsal disc is pale yellowish brown (often with faint dusky blotches) but never has clusters of white spots typical of P. nitida. Differences between P. alleni and four other new species of Pavoraja are discussed in the following sections. Our material conforms well to the 3 types as described by McEachran and Fechhelm (1982). A paratype is recorded as having 28 monospondylous vertebrae (26 in both other types and 25 – 26 in our material, n = 11) and 71 predorsal caudal centra (74, 79 in the other types and 73 – 79 in our material). Also, the pectoral radial counts were 63, 67 (vs. 64 – 66). A few minor differences in morphometrics are probably due to the use of slightly different methodology. The young of Leucoraja sp. O (as Raja sp. O sensu Last and Stevens, 1994), which resemble young P. alleni in body shape, colour, and the size and position of thorns, have been misidentified as that species. However, they can be distinguished by the presence of a firm rostral cartilage (evident when the head of the specimen is backlit) in Leucoraja sp. O that is lacking in members of the genus Pavoraja.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA7DFF86FF7878AAFE40BBD9.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Pavoraja alleni belongs to the North Western and Timor marine biogeographic provinces of Australia where it is primarily found in the upper slope biome (Last et al., 2005). Additional material collected recently from the continental slope off southwestern Australia, from Shark Bay (24 ° 42 ' S) southwards to Mandurah (32 ° 40 ' S) at 360 – 760 m depth, was initially identified as P. alleni but seems to be another undescribed species. This allopatric morph, which differs slightly in morphometrics to the typical form of P. a l l e n i, has a dusky ventral surface (rather than pale) and more strongly developed tail thorns. More research is required to establish its status.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA75FF98FF787B1AFC63B8B9.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. CSIRO H 175 – 01, 272 mm TL, juvenile male, Great Australian Bight, Western Australia, 33 ° 20 ' S, 128 ° 28 ' E, 357 – 377 m, 1 Mar. 1980. Paratypes. 23 specimens (128 – 343 mm TL): CSIRO H 171 – 01, 307 mm TL, female, Great Australian Bight, Western Australia, 33 ° 22 ' S, 128 ° 00 ' E, 320 – 339 m, 14 Mar. 1980; CSIRO H 173 – 01, 288 mm TL, adult male, Great Australian Bight, South Australia, 33 ° 25 ' S, 129 ° 35 ' E, 340 – 400 m, 3 Aug. 1981; CSIRO H 174 – 01, 307 mm TL, female, Great Australian Bight, South Australia, 33 ° 20 ' S, 130 ° 12 ' E, 192 – 200 m, 3 Aug. 1981; CSIRO H 1818 – 01, 275 mm TL (tail damaged), female, south of Cape Leeuwin, Western Australia, 34 ° 59 ' S, 114 ° 53 ' E, 712 m, 23 Dec. 1989; CSIRO T 1240, 257 mm TL, female, Great Australian Bight, South Australia, 33 ° 31 ' S, 129 ° 35 ' E, 456 – 524 m, 25 Feb. 1980; NMV A 596, 222 mm TL, juvenile male; NMV A 597 (3 specimens), 280 mm TL, juvenile male, 294 mm TL, juvenile male and 330 mm TL, adolescent male, Bass Strait, off Portland, Victoria, 38 ° 40 ' S, 141 ° 15 ' E, 15 May 1979, 293 – 329 m, 15 May 1979; NMV A 2164, 332 mm TL, female, off Beachport, South Australia, 37 ° 51 ' S, 139 ° 48 ' E, 370 – 400 m, 24 Oct. 1981; NMV A 21604 (8 specimens), 268 mm TL, juvenile male; 300 mm TL, adolescent male; 328 mm TL, adolescent male; 328 mm TL, mature male; 343 mm TL, mature male; 173 mm TL, female; 334 mm TL, female; 347 mm TL, female, off Portland, South Australia, 38 ° 25 ' S, 140 ° 47 ' E, 252 – 378 m, 17 Jun. 2000; NMV A 21605 (2 specimens), 128 mm TL, juvenile male; 153 mm TL, juvenile male, off Portland, South Australia, 38 ° 24 ' S, 140 ° 41 ' E, 207 – 360 m, 18 Jun. 2000; NMV A 21606 (2 specimens), 151 mm TL, juvenile male; 258 mm TL, female; NMV A 21608, 190 mm TL, female, off Portland, Victoria, 38 ° 42 ' S, 141 ° 20 ' E, 225 – 374 m, 10 Jun. 2000.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA75FF98FF787B1AFC63B8B9.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A species of Pavoraja with: a relatively long, oval tail, length 57 – 58 % TL, height at pelvic-fin tips about three-quarters of width, width at midlength 1.4 – 1.9 % TL; small orbits, diameter 4.0 – 4.8 % TL; widely spaced gill slits, width between first gill openings 11.1 – 13.3 % TL; relatively narrow interorbital space, width 2.7 – 3.1 % TL; broad nasal curtain, total width 6.1 – 7.3 % TL; orbital thorns large, mostly 2 on posteromedial margin; interorbital, spiracular and scapular thorns absent; nuchal pore patch prominent, usually preceded by a nuchal thorn; thorns of tail series large, not strongly decreasing in size posteriorly; interdorsal space relatively long, generally subequal to first dorsal-fin base; epichordal lobe of caudal fin not confluent with second dorsal fin, base of lobe equal to in length or longer than dorsal-fin bases; tooth rows in lower jaw 31 – 43; predorsal caudal centra 65 – 72; interdorsal vertebrae 9 – 13; pectoral radials 73 – 77; pale yellowish brown, sometimes with faint dusky blotches, lacking a pattern of white spots in adults; dorsal fins usually pale centrally with dusky outer margins; epichordal lobe usually dusky, not strongly demarcated from dorsal fins; ventral surface mainly whitish with broad greyish areas on corners of disc and posterior lobes of pelvic fins.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA75FF98FF787B1AFC63B8B9.taxon	description	Description. Disc 1.13 in holotype (1.06 – 1.13 in paratypes) times as broad as long; maximum angle in front of spiracles 108 ° (100 – 108 °); anterior margin convex with a deep concavity near its midlength in males and females (less so in juveniles and some females); posterior margin strongly convex; outer corners broadly rounded. Snout width at axis through anterior border of orbits 75 % (67 – 76 % in female paratypes) of distance from tip of snout to axil of pectoral fins. Pelvic-fin anterior margin 86 % (73 – 96 %) of distance from origin of anterior lobe to posterior extremity of fin. Tail length 1.20 (1.16 – 1.30) times disc length; widths at midlength and at axils of pelvic fins 40 % (32 – 41 %) and 110 % (91 – 111 %) of orbit diameter respectively; skin fold very narrow anteriorly, extending along ventrolateral surface from near or slightly forward of pelvic-fin tip to near origin of hypochordal lobe of caudal fin, widest beneath second dorsal fin (subequal to height of epichordal lobe of caudal fin). Interdorsal distance relatively long, generally subequal to length of first dorsal-fin base; epichordal caudal fin not connected to base of second dorsal fin, base equal to or slightly longer than bases of dorsal fins. Preocular length 3.00 (2.24 – 3.08) times longer than orbit diameter; preoral length 2.78 (1.94 – 2.47) times internarial distance. Orbit diameter 1.39 (1.47 – 1.63) times interorbital distance; 1.55 (1.69 – 2.04) times length of spiracles. Internarial distance 0.37 (0.36 – 0.43) in distance between first gill slits; 0.63 (0.54 – 0.78) in distance between fifth gill slits. Length of first gill slit 1.76 (1.03 – 1.38) times length of fifth gill slit; 0.24 (0.13 – 0.18) in mouth width. Dorsal surfaces of disc densely covered with fine denticles; pelvic-fin anterior and posterior lobes, claspers, caudal-fin lobes, lateral skin fold, and entire ventral surface naked; denticles on posterior half of tail sparse; much denser band of slightly enlarged, pungent denticles extending along midline of disc from nuchal area to anterior third of tail (its width subequal to orbit diameter), most pronounced in largest individuals; dorsal fins with weak granulations. Orbit with 0 – 3 (mostly 2 in large individuals, absent in juveniles <108 mm TL) thorns on anteromedial margin, 1 – 3 (mostly 2 in large individuals, absent in juveniles <108 mm TL) on posteromedial margin, absent on medial margin; interorbital thorns absent; one interspiracular thorn sometimes present. Scapular thorns absent. Prenuchal and nuchal thorns 0 – 5 (mostly 2 or 3 in large individuals, absent in juveniles <220 mm TL), anteriormost thorn (sometimes feeble or damaged) situated forward of nuchal pore patch. Tail with rather large, widely spaced thorns arranged in 3 series, thorns not decreasing strongly in size posteriorly; medial series originating near level of pectoral-fin insertion (further forward in NMV A 21604, female 334 mm TL), generally persisting to origin of first dorsal fin; dorsolateral series originating over pelvic-fin inner margin, extending along more than two-thirds to three quarters length of tail in large individuals; inter-dorsal thorns absent. Adult males with 2 – 3 rows of small, weak, non-retractable alar thorns; malar thorn patch small; malar thorns similar in form to alar thorns, much smaller, situated anterolaterally, extending anteriorly to just in advance of level of pored prenuchal area. Smallest juvenile (NMV A 21605) without orbital and nuchal thorns; median row of tail thorns well developed, thorns much larger than tail denticles. Claspers slender (Figs 6 d – f), pseudorhipidion extending posteriorly to distal quarter of glans as fold of integument that finally becomes fused with glans floor; spur passing proximally under slit, distal tip lying near glans margin; rhipidion well developed, extending over central third of glans, distal section lying over base of sentinel; sentinel large, well developed, rod-shaped to ovoid and covered by integument, extending from level of slit to past tip of glans; spike just visible within well-defined sentina; axial cartilage curved laterally, slen- der; dorsal marginal not expanded distally, pseudorhipidion expanded distally to form a dorsal flag-like extension then thinning abruptly to a sharp point; ventral marginal with an evenly convex distal margin; dorsal terminal 1 and ventral terminal very narrowly joined on ventral aspect of glans, forming sheath-like covering extending over central half of glans; dorsal terminal 1 very membranous; ventral terminal very membranous, with thickened area immediately distal to proximal arm, arm penetrating glans and lying against dorsal margin of proximal extension of accessory terminal 1; terminal bridge absent or incomplete; lateral margin of dorsal terminal 2 distinctly angular, not serrated; dorsal terminal 3 small to moderately large; accessory terminal 1 with bow-shaped distal extension forming sentinel, extending to level of dorsal terminal 3. Neurocranium of CSIRO H 174 – 01 typical of genus; with one accessory lateral cartilage on the side of the right rostral appendix; foramina absent from rostral node; rostral shaft short, much less than length of basal fenestra; posterior fontanelle longer than anterior fontanelle. Scapulocoracoid with 3 postventral foramina, posterior foramen sometimes largest. Meristics (n = 17). Tooth rows in upper jaw 34 (33 – 42), in lower jaw 34 (31 – 43). Vertebral counts: monospondylous centra 27 (26 – 29), predorsal caudal centra 68 (65 – 72), interdorsal centra 13 (9 – 13), diplospondylous centra 112 (106 – 113), total centra 139 (134 – 141). Pectoral-fin counts: propterygial radials 33 (33 – 35), mesopterygial radials 14 (13 – 16), metapterygial radials 27 (25 – 28), total radials 74 (73 – 77). Pelvic-fin counts: males 3 (3 – 4) + 19 (18 – 20) radials, females 3 – 4 + 18 – 20 radials. Coloration. Preserved and live colour similar. Dorsal surface of disc, tail and posterior lobes of pelvic fins uniform yellowish brown, often with dusky blotches; disc and pelvic-fin margins slightly paler than rest of body; anterior lobes of pelvic fins white, strongly demarcated from posterior lobes; median region of snout paler than body, often with a dusky stripe along its midline; pored prenuchal area large, prominent, appearing as a diffuse-edged white, subcircular to suboval blotch; lateral skin fold white or lightly pigmented anteriorly, dusky beneath dorsal fins; ocular membrane semi-translucent, pale brownish; fleshy process on snout usually pigmented. Claspers uniformly greyish brown dorsally with pale lateral margins; posterolateral and posteromesial margins of glans white; white ventrally. Dorsal fins predominantly dusky, central section paler, outer posterior membrane translucent. Epichordal lobe of caudal fin generally uniformly dusky. Ventral surface mostly white, usually with greyish outer corners on disc, posterior lobes of pelvic fins and near apex of tail. Smallest juveniles yellowish brown on disc, usually with large dusky blotches; sparse coverage of white spots sometimes on disc in specimens <220 mm TL; two rows of fine white spots extending from mid disc onto dorsolateral tail in some juveniles; tail colour similar to disc; dorsal fins much darker than rest of body, darker transverse bands indistinct; ventral surface white to semi-translucent centrally, outer margins of pectoral fins and posterior lobes of pelvic fins dark greyish brown. Size. At least 343 mm TL and about 180 mm disc width. Smallest mature male 288 mm TL (CSIRO H 173 – 01), but some males adolescent at 300 – 330 mm TL. Smallest post-natal juvenile 128 mm TL.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA75FF98FF787B1AFC63B8B9.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Known from the Great Australian Bight off southern Australia, between south of Cape Leeuwin, Western Australia (34 ° 59 ' S, 114 ° 53 ' E), and off Portland, Victoria (38 ° 42 ' S, 141 ° 20 ' E), in depths of 192 – 712 m (types mainly from 300 – 400 m). P. alleni P. arenaria sp. nov. Holotype Non-types Holotype Paratypes Min. Max. Mean Min. Max. Mean Total length (mm) 297 216 349 272 257 332 Etymology. From the Latin arenarius (sandy) in allusion to its pale dorsal disc coloration. Comparisons. Close to P. alleni in morphology and with a similar colour pattern, being uniform pale yellowish brown, with or without faint dusky blotches, and lacking white spots in adults. The pored prenuchal area, which is evident as a large white spot in P. arenaria, is much more prominent than in P. a l l e n i. The two species differ in some morphometric and meristic characters. Pavoraja arenaria has fewer predorsal caudal centra (65 – 72 vs. 73 – 79) and more pectoral-fin radials (73 – 77 vs. 64 – 66) than P. a l l e n i, generally larger thorns on the tail, and scapular thorns are absent (rather than sometimes present). The dorsal surface of the tail near the first dorsal-fin origin in P. arenaria usually has a few large thorns but is otherwise almost naked (surface hirsute, covered instead with a carpet of minute denticles and mostly without large thorns in P. a l l e n i). White spots, which are present in clusters in all sizes of P. n i t i d a, are present on the posterior disc of some juvenile P. arenaria.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA75FF98FF787B1AFC63B8B9.taxon	discussion	Remarks. P. arenaria belongs to the Southern marine biogeographic province of Australia (IMCRA 1998) where it is primarily found in the upper slope biome (Last et al., 2005).	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA6BFF9DFF787BBAFD5DBFA7.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. CSIRO H 643 – 02, 274 mm TL, adult male, north-east of Whitsunday Group, Queensland, 19 ° 38 ' S, 150 ° 33 ' E, 312 – 318 m, 15 Nov. 1985. Paratypes. 10 specimens (83 – 279 mm TL): CSIRO H 595 – 01, 268 mm TL, adult male; CSIRO H 595 – 0 3, 182 mm TL, juvenile male; CSIRO H 595 – 04, 266 mm TL, female, off Townsville, Queensland, 18 ° 39 ' S, 148 ° 08 ' E, 300 m, 8 Dec. 1985; CSIRO H 643 – 03, 234 mm TL, female, collected with holotype; CSIRO H 651 – 01, 278 mm TL, female, south of Marion Reef, Queensland, 19 ° 44 ' S, 152 ° 06 ' E, 368 – 370 m, 23 Nov. 1985; CSIRO H 652 – 01, 279 mm TL, female; CSIRO H 652 – 02, 273 mm TL, female, east of Saumarez Reef, Queensland, 21 ° 56 ' S, 154 ° 00 ' E, 400 – 403 m, 20 Nov. 1985; CSIRO H 712 – 01, 277 mm TL, female, Saumarez Reef, Queensland, 22 ° 14 ' S, 153 ° 31 ' E, 303 – 333 m, 19 Nov. 1985; CSIRO H 720 – 09 (2 specimens), 83 mm TL, juvenile male; 139 mm TL, juvenile male, south of Saumarez Reef, Queensland, 23 ° 12 ' S, 153 ° 37 ' E, 399 – 405 m, 18 Nov. 1985.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA6BFF9DFF787BBAFD5DBFA7.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A species of Pavoraja with: a relatively short, narrow, depressed tail, length 51 – 53 % TL, height at pelvic-fin tips slightly more than half of width, width at midlength 1.6 – 1.9 % TL; a large nasal curtain, total width 7.1 – 8.0 % TL; widely spaced gill slits, width between first fill openings 12.4 – 14.1 % TL; orbital thorns small (often barely conspicuous), mostly 0 – 1 on posteromedial margin; interorbital, spiracular, nuchal, prenuchal and scapular thorns absent; thorns of tail series minute, lateral series poorly defined or absent; dorsal fins light brown with pale margins, confluent with pale epichordal lobe of caudal fin; tooth rows in lower jaw 37 – 47; predorsal caudal centra 72 – 76; interdorsal vertebrae 5 – 10; pectoral radials 71 – 74; dorsal surface brownish, covered with a dense pattern of irregular pale spots.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA6BFF9DFF787BBAFD5DBFA7.taxon	description	Description. Disc 1.12 in holotype (1.10 – 1.15 in paratypes) times as broad as long; maximum angle in front of spiracles 91 ° (98 – 101 °); anterior margin variable, convex, weakly biconcave or straight in females and immature males, mostly deeply concave opposite spiracles in adult males; posterior margin strongly convex; outer corners broadly rounded. Snout width at axis through anterior border of orbits 73 % (70 – 77 % in female paratypes) of distance from tip of snout to axil of pectoral fins. Pelvic-fin anterior margin 73 % (73 – 83 %) of distance from origin of anterior lobe to posterior extremity of fin. Tail length 1.04 (0.97 – 1.04) times disc length; widths at midlength and at axils of pelvic fins 39 % (37 – 40 %) and 92 % (88 – 100 %) of orbit diameter respectively. Skin fold narrow, origin well defined, extending along ventrolateral surface from near pelvic-fin tip to near origin of hypochordal lobe of caudal fin; narrow initially, continuing evenly along predorsal tail, then widening behind second dorsal fin to equal height of epichordal lobe of caudal fin. Dorsal fins connected basally, interdorsal membrane often equal in height to epichordal fin lobe. Epichordal caudal-fin lobe connected to base of second dorsal fin (separated slightly in smallest juveniles CSIRO H 720 – 09); base slightly shorter than bases of dorsal fins. Preocular length 2.92 (2.77 – 3.10) times longer than orbit diameter; preoral length 2.53 (2.60 – 2.86) times internarial distance. Orbit diameter 1.33 (1.25 – 1.63) times interorbital distance; 2.00 (1.43 – 2.00) times length of spiracles. Internarial distance 0.42 (0.39 – 0.42) in distance between first gill slits; 0.71 (0.71 – 0.83) in distance between fifth gill slits. Length of first gill slit 1.00 (1.00 – 1.33) times length of fifth gill slit; 0.15 (0.11 – 0.19) in mouth width. Dorsal surfaces of disc, tail and posterior lobes of pelvic fins densely covered with fine denticles. Dorsal fins lightly denticulate (almost naked on smallest juveniles); claspers, anterior lobes of pelvic fins, skin folds on tail, caudal lobes and entire ventral surface naked. Orbit with 1 – 3 (mostly 2) thorns on anteromedial margin, 0 – 3 (mostly 0 – 1) on posteromedial margin, absent on medial margin. No prenuchal or nuchal thorns. Tail with 3 primary series of small to very small thorns; dorsolateral series poorly defined or absent (particularly in juveniles), extending variably along tail; medial series better defined, regular, originating near posterior pelvic-fin insertion, extending variably along tail; interdorsal thorns never present. Adult males with 2 – 3 irregular rows of small non-retractable alar thorns, not developed into dense patch of irregularly shaped thorns, clustered into pairs; malar thorns smaller, situated anterolaterally to alar thorns, extending anteriorly almost to greatest concavity of anterior margin of disc (usually just behind axis through posterior borders of spiracles). Claspers moderately short, narrow (Figs 13 a – c); pseudorhipidion continuing distally as fold of integument which fuses to inner wall of sentina; spur passing under slit proximally, not extending beyond glans, barely reaching posterior margin of rhipidion; rhipidion well developed, folded laterally along most of its length, running from proximal one-third to about distal one-third of glans, distal section lying over base of sentinel; sentinel rod-shaped, covered by thick integument; spike hidden within well-developed sentina; cleft medial and posterior to spur; axial cartilage curved laterally, moderately slender; dorsal marginal cartilage soft, little expanded distally, inner extension of distal margin initially expanded to a blade-like edge and then gradually thinning to a point; ventral marginal with truncated distal margin (joint unclear); dorsal terminal 1 and ventral terminal narrowly joined on ventral aspect of glans, forming sheath-like covering over central half of glans; dorsal terminal 1 membranous; ventral terminal mostly membranous, with thickened area immediately distal to proximal arm; lateral margin of dorsal terminal 2 smooth; terminal bridge absent; dorsal terminal 3 small; accessory terminal 1 with a laterally curved or S-shaped distal extension forming sentinel, extending just beyond spur. Neurocranium of CSIRO H 652 – 01 typical of genus; with one small accessory lateral cartilage beside each rostral appendix; foramina absent from rostral node; rostral shaft short, slightly less than length of basal fenestra; posterior fontanelle longer than anterior fontanelle. Scapulocoracoid with 3 postventral foramina, anterior foramen largest (Fig. 2 c); 3 small condyles present on posterior part of neopterygial ridge. Meristics (n = 5). Tooth rows in upper jaw 42 (37 – 47), in lower jaw 42 (37 – 47). Vertebral counts: monospondylous centra 30 (29 – 31), predorsal caudal centra 76 (72 – 75), interdorsal centra 5 (8 – 10), diplospondylous centra 103 (100 – 103), total centra 133 (129 – 134). Pectoral-fin counts: propterygial radials 31 – 33 (31 – 35), mesopterygial radials 14 – 15 (13 – 15), metapterygial radials 27 (25 – 27), total radials 73 – 74 (71 – 74). Pelvic-fin counts: males 3 + 21 radials, females 3 – 5 + 18 – 21 radials. Coloration. Preserved and live colour of adults similar, strongly ornamented with a dense reticulate pattern. Dorsal surface of disc, tail, posterior pelvic lobes, claspers and orbital membrane brownish with a mosaic of reticulations and small pale spots (variable in size, from about ¼ to ¾ spiracle width); preorbital snout and posterior margin of disc slightly paler; clasper apices dusky. Dorsal fins light brown with pale margins; anterior lobes of pelvic fins and epichordal lobe of caudal fin pale. Ventral surface mostly uniformly pale, somewhat translucent near outer corners of disc. Juveniles with spotted pattern reversed on dorsal surface, dense distribution of brown spots on a pale background, spots similar in size; 4 – 5 dark brownish black bands on tail, with 3 primary bands (also extending slightly onto ventral surface) more or less equally spaced, last band much broader than those anteriorly; first tail band situated about orbit diameter behind pelvic-fin tip; second tail band narrow; third tail band on midtail, about midway between first and last; last tail band broad, present below and extending onto dorsal fins; additional narrow and indistinct tail band sometimes present between third and last tail bands; ventral surfaces translucent. Size. At least 279 mm TL and about 161 mm disc width. Males are mature by 268 mm TL. Smallest postnatal juvenile 83 mm TL.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA6BFF9DFF787BBAFD5DBFA7.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Known from the upper continental slope off Queensland, between Ingham (18 ° 39 ' S, 148 ° 08 ' E) and Yeppoon (23 ° 12 ' S, 153 ° 37 ' E), in depths of 300 – 405 m.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA6BFF9DFF787BBAFD5DBFA7.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Derived from the Latin musaicus (an inlay of various colours and geometric patterns) in allusion to its striking dorsal coloration. Comparisons. The dense pattern of pale, irregularly shaped spots and the sparse distribution of thorns on the disc distinguish this species from all other members of the genus. Within the genus, only P. n i t i d a has a dense pattern of pale spots but these are arranged quite differently. Pavoraja mosaica has more tooth rows in the lower jaw (37 – 47 vs. 31 – 36), more predorsal caudal centra (72 – 76 vs. 62 – 70), and slightly fewer interdorsal centra (5 – 10 vs. 8 – 10) than P. nitida.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA6BFF9DFF787BBAFD5DBFA7.taxon	discussion	Remarks. P. mosaica belongs to the North Eastern marine biogeographic province of Australia where it is found in the upper slope biome (Last et al., 2005).	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA6EFF97FF787C8AFEDFBC79.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. BMNH 1879.5.14.417, 210 mm TL, immature male, off Twofold Bay, New South Wales, ca 220 m. Other material. 26 specimens (80 – 368 mm TL): CSIRO A 2956, 203 mm TL, juvenile male, possibly Port Hacking, New South Wales; CSIRO CA 39, 343 mm TL, adult male, off Lakes Entrance, Victoria, 38 ° 27 ' S, 148 ° 33 ' E, 250 – 390 m, 28 Nov. 1976; CSIRO CA 130, 358 mm TL, adult male, south-east of Conran Point, Victoria, 38 ° 05 ' S, 148 ° 51 ' E, 120 – 125 m, 28 Apr. 1977; CSIRO CA 511, 315 mm TL, adult male, east of South Bruny Island, Tasmania, 43 ° 30 ' S, 147 ° 32 ' E, 9 Nov. 1978; CSIRO CA 520, 304 mm TL, adolescent male, off Ulladulla, New South Wales, 35 ° 29 ' S, 150 ° 45 ' E, 200 – 204 m, 20 Oct. 1978; CSIRO CA 522, 326 mm TL, adult male, south of Red Rocks Point, Western Australia, 32 ° 24 ' S, 127 ° 30 ' E, 30 m, 3 Mar. 1978; CSIRO CA 523, 293 mm TL, adolescent male, north-east of Maria Island, Tasmania, 42 ° 31 ' S, 148 ° 19 ' E, 100 m, 7 Nov. 1978; CSIRO CA 2817, 333 mm TL, adult male; CSIRO CA 2818, 337 mm TL, female, off Gabo Is., Victoria, 37 ° 45 ' S, 150 ° 11 ' E, 180 – 200 m, 2 Feb. 1980; CSIRO H 134 – 01, 342 mm TL female; CSIRO H 135 – 01, 341 mm TL, adult male; CSIRO H 136 – 01, 335 mm TL, adolescent male; off south-west Tasmania, Dec. 1981; CSIRO H 137 – 01, 288 mm TL, adult male, off south-east Tasmania, 110 m, May 1978; CSIRO H 138 – 01, 335 mm TL, female, off Norah Head, New South Wales, 33 ° 27 ' S, 152 ° 05 ' E, 360 – 432 m, 21 Aug. 1979; CSIRO H 139 – 01, 316 mm TL, adult male, off Barrenjoey Head, New South Wales, 33 ° 42 ' S, 151 ° 51 ' E, 296 – 300 m, 25 Jan. 1982; CSIRO H 140 – 01, 345 mm TL, female; CSIRO H 141 – 01, 326 mm TL, female; off south-east Tasmania, 75 m, Sep. 1981; CSIRO H 142 – 01, 305 mm TL, female; CSIRO H 143 – 01, 307 mm TL, adult male; off south-east Tasmania, 110 m, May 1978; CSIRO H 144 – 01, 320 mm TL, female, Taupo Seamount, off Port Hacking, New South Wales, 34 ° 17 ' S, 151 ° 21 ' E, 200 m, 25 Mar. 1981; CSIRO H 145 – 01, 282 mm TL, adolescent male; CSIRO H 146 – 01, 286 mm TL, juvenile male; off south-east Tasmania, 75 m; CSIRO H 1264 – 08, 335 mm TL, female, off Maria Island, Tasmania, 42 ° 35 ' S, 148 ° 12 ' E, 81 – 82 m, 7 Apr. 1988; CSIRO H 3524 – 03, female, 368 mm TL, south of Cape Everard, Victoria, 38 ° 11 ' S, 149 ° 15 ' E, 158 – 180 m, 8 Aug. 1993; CSIRO H 3526 – 01, 103 mm TL, juvenile male, off Cape Everard, Victoria, 38 ° 10 ' S, 149 ° 35 ' E, 263 – 266 m, 9 Aug. 1993; CSIRO T 1049, 80 mm TL, female, Tasmania.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA6EFF97FF787C8AFEDFBC79.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A species of Pavoraja with: a relatively short, broad tail, length 52 – 57 % TL, width at midlength 2.0 – 2.5 % TL; large orbits, diameter 4.5 – 5.7 % TL; widely spaced gill slits, width between first fill openings 11.7 – 14.1 % TL; broad internasal space, width 3.8 – 4.9 % TL; tall dorsal fins, first dorsal-fin height 2.6 – 3.4 % TL; orbital thorns large, mostly 3 on posteromedial margin; interorbital thorns absent; spiracular thorns generally present in adults; scapular thorns sometimes present; thorns of tail series large, decreasing in size posteriorly, often absent immediately before first dorsal fin; interdorsal space short or fins connected; epichordal lobe of caudal fin mostly confluent with second dorsal fin, base of lobe equal in length to or shorter than dorsal-fin bases; tooth rows in lower jaw 31 – 36; predorsal caudal centra 62 – 70; interdorsal vertebrae 8 – 10; pectoral radials 70 – 74; upper surface of disc brownish with regular, pale spots arranged into irregular clusters.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA6EFF97FF787C8AFEDFBC79.taxon	description	Description. Disc 1.10 – 1.17 times as broad as long; maximum angle in front of spiracles 97 – 108 °; anterior margin convex to weakly concave in females and immature males, mostly deeply concave opposite spiracles in males (some adult males intermediate between extreme male condition and female condition); posterior margin strongly convex; outer corners broadly rounded. Snout width at axis through anterior border of orbits 58 – 59 % in mature males, 69 – 73 % in females of distance from tip of snout to axil of pectoral fins. Pelvic-fin anterior margin 62 – 75 % of distance from origin of anterior lobe to posterior extremity of fin. Tail length 0.98 – 1.20 times disc length; widths at midlength and at axils of pelvic fins 38 – 50 % and 88 – 106 % of orbit diameter respectively; narrow skin fold extending along ventrolateral surface from just forward of pelvic-fin tip to near origin of hypochordal lobe of caudal fin (when undamaged), widest beneath second dorsal fin (subequal to height of epichordal lobe of caudal fin). Interdorsal distance very short or fins often connected, always less than half length of first dorsal-fin base; epichordal caudal-fin lobe mostly connected to base of second dorsal fin, base equal to or slightly shorter than bases of dorsal fins. Preocular length 1.75 – 2.40 times longer than orbit diameter; preoral length 2.14 – 3.21 times internarial distance. Orbit diameter 1.45 – 1.78 times interorbital distance; 1.45 – 1.80 times length of spiracles. Internarial distance 0.30 – 0.39 in distance between first gill slits; 0.52 – 0.79 in distance between fifth gill slits. Length of first gill slit 1.00 – 1.33 times length of fifth gill slit; 0.18 – 0.30 in mouth width. Dorsal surfaces of disc, tail and anterior lobes of pelvic fins densely covered with fine denticles. Dorsal fins lightly denticulate to almost naked. Claspers, posterior lobes of pelvic fins, skin folds on tail, caudal lobes and entire ventral surface naked. Orbit with 2 – 5 (mostly 3) thorns on anteromedial margin, 2 – 4 (mostly 3) on posteromedial margin, 0 – 1 (rarely present) on medial margin; adults generally with single prominent thorn either side of midline between posterior margins of spiracles. Prenuchal and nuchal thorns small, 1 – 5 (mostly 2 or 3), sometimes with a few smaller thorns around primary thorns, on scapular region and extending as multiple rows down midline of disc. Tail with 3 – 5 series of thorns, forming a dense patch above cloaca; dorsolateral series highly irregular, staggered near base of tail, each series often extending anteriorly onto disc to join with rows on midline, usually absent or weakly developed just forward of first dorsal-fin origin; median series more regular, extending along full length of tail, seldom extending onto disc; interdorsal thorns rarely present. Adult males with a dense patch of 1 – 4 regular to irregular rows of small non-retractable alar thorns (often as paired thorns); malar thorns smaller, situated anterolaterally and almost connected to alar thorn patch, extending anteriorly to greatest concavity of anterior margin of disc (usually just behind axis through posterior borders of spiracles). Juvenile (CSIRO A 2956) with 2 enlarged anteromedial orbital thorns, 1 – 2 main enlarged posteromedial orbital thorns; single enlarged nuchal thorn; tail with 3 distinct rows of thorns, median row best developed; smallest juvenile male (CSIRO H 3526 – 01) with a single preorbital thorn and single median row of tail thorns. Claspers slender (Figs 13 d – f); pseudorhipidion continuing distally as fold of integument, finally becoming fused to glans floor; spur passing proximally under slit, distal tip either lying on or slightly outside glans margin; rhipidion well developed, extending over central third of glans, distal section lying over base of sentinel; sentinel rod-shaped, covered by integument which is thicker and more fleshy over lateral region, extending from level of slit to near tip of glans; spike located within sentina; axial cartilage slender; dorsal marginal slightly expanded distally; proximal three-quarters of pseudorhipidion rod-like, thinning distally to a point; ventral marginal with an expanded evenly convex distal margin (joint unclear); dorsal terminal 1 and ventral terminal joined ventrally, forming sheath-like covering over entire length of glans; dorsal terminal 1 membranous; ventral terminal V-shaped, mostly membranous, thickened area immediately distal to proximal arm, arm penetrating glans and lying against dorsal margin of proximal extension of accessory terminal 1; distal point of symphysis of dorsal terminal 1 and ventral terminal cartilages with small protrusion of thickened cartilage; dorsal terminal 2 with poorly defined cartilaginous projection joined to axial near level of accessory terminal 2 base by connective tissue (incomplete terminal bridge); dorsal terminal 3 moderately large; accessory terminal 1 with an S-shaped distal extension forming the sentinel, extending to distal margin of accessory terminal 2. Neurocranium of CSIRO H 138 – 01 typical of genus; with no accessory lateral cartilages; 4 foramina on rostral node, anterior pair largest; rostral shaft very short, much less than length of basal fenestra; posterior fontanelle much longer than anterior fontanelle. Scapulocoracoid with 2 – 4 postventral foramina, anterior foramen generally largest. P. m o s a i c a sp. nov. P. nitida Holotype Paratypes Holotype Non-types Min. Max. Mean Min. Max. Mean Total length (mm) 274 182 279 210 282 358 Meristics (n = 7). Tooth rows in upper jaw 32 – 35, in lower jaw 31 – 36. Vertebral counts: monospondylous centra 26 – 30, predorsal caudal centra 62 – 70, interdorsal centra 8 – 10, diplospondylous centra 97 – 105, total centra 124 – 132. Pectoral-fin counts: propterygial radials 31 – 35, mesopterygial radials 12 – 14, metapterygial radials 25 – 27, total radials 70 – 74. Pelvic-fin counts: males 3 – 4 + 17 – 19 radials, females 3 – 4 + 19 – 21 radials. Coloration. Preserved and live colour similar. Dorsal surface of disc, posterior lobes of pelvic fins and tail yellowish brown to dark brown with irregularly scattered paler and darker patches and blotches interspersed with poorly defined clusters of smaller and more distinct yellowish or white spots; clusters irregular in size with numerous small to minute, irregular shaped spots; mid area of snout and outer part of disc generally paler than central part of disc; anterior lobe of pelvic fin dusky with a pale margin; orbital membrane uniformly brown, paler along inner margin; nuchal pore patch small, whitish, suboval to elongate, prominent. Clasper uniformly dark brownish dorsally, with posterolateral margin of glans white tipped; uniformly white ventrally. Dorsal fins and epichordal lobe of caudal fin uniform pale brown, dusky or yellowish. Ventral surface mostly uniform white, occasionally with yellowish to greyish or translucent areas near outer corners of disc. Juvenile colour pattern different to adults; smallest male paratype CSIRO H 3526 – 01 pale yellowish dorsally with dense pattern of small lighter and darker spots and blotches; tail with evidence of weak darker bands, most prominent below dorsal fins; ventral surface pale translucent. Size. To at least 368 mm TL. Smallest mature male 307 mm TL. Smallest postnatal juvenile 80 mm TL.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA6EFF97FF787C8AFEDFBC79.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Occurs on the continental shelf (and to a lesser extent the upper slope) of southeastern Australia, including Tasmania, north to at least off Norah Head, New South Wales (33 ° 27 ' S, 152 ° 05 ' E) and west to the central Great Australian Bight, Western Australia (32 ° 24 ' S, 127 ° 30 ' E), in depths of 75 – 432 m. Comparisons. Pavoraja nitida can be distinguished from plain-coloured or dark-blotched species, P. alleni and P. a re n a r i a (and P. sp. F sensu Last and Stevens, 1994; described later in this paper), by distinctive clusters of white spots on the dorsal surface. P. n i t i d a has 31 – 36 rows of teeth in the lower jaw and 62 – 70 predorsal caudal centra, fewer than other species with rich colour pattern, P. m o s a i c a and P. sp. E (sensu Last and Stevens, 1994; also described later in this paper), which have combined ranges for these characters of 37 – 47 tooth rows and 72 – 81 centra respectively. Also, P. m o s a i c a has a darker pattern (broken by irregular spots) than P. n i t i d a, whereas P. sp. E is more sparsely and evenly spotted than these species. Whereas the vertebral counts of P. nitida in McEachran and Fechhelm (1982) closely matched those of this study (monospondylous centra 26 – 29 (holotype 27) n = 16 vs. 26 – 30, n = 7 in our material; predorsal caudal centra 66 – 72 (holotype 66) vs. 62 – 70) some more extreme differences were detected in pectoral radial counts (62 – 73 (holotype 72) vs. 70 – 74). Our material generally conforms to McEachran and Fechhelm’s diagnosis of the species and morphometry of the holotype. However, two diagnostic characters, given as disc width greater than 54 % TL (minimum of 53.1 % in our material) and orbit diameter 1.7 – 2.1 (vs. 1.5 – 1.8) times spiracle length, differ slightly.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA6EFF97FF787C8AFEDFBC79.taxon	discussion	Remarks. P. n i t i d a belongs to the Central Eastern, Tasmanian, Southern, and Gulfs marine biogeographic provinces of Australia where it is found in the outer continental shelf and upper slope biome (IMCRA, 1998; Last et al., 2005).	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA64FFA9FF787FFAFBA4BCD9.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. CSIRO H 438 – 01, 372 mm TL, adult male, Saumarez Plateau, Queensland, 22 ° 46 ' S, 154 ° 08 ' E, 445 – 450 m, 17 Nov. 1985. Paratypes. 39 specimens (152 – 370 mm TL): AMS I 25827 – 007 (6 specimens), 273 mm TL, juvenile male; 274 mm TL juvenile male; 278 mm TL juvenile male; 288 mm TL juvenile male; 276 mm TL female; 289 mm TL female, north of Townsville, Queensland, 18 ° 03 ' S, 147 ° 09 ' E, 300 m, 17 Jan. 1986; CSIRO H 436 – 01, 321 mm TL, female; CSIRO H 437 – 01, 324 mm TL, female; CSIRO H 439 – 01, 347 mm TL, adult male; CSIRO H 440 – 01, 324 mm TL, juvenile male; CSIRO H 441 – 01, 346 mm TL, adult male; CSIRO H 442 – 01, 344 mm TL, female; CSIRO H 443 – 01, 321 mm TL, adult male; CSIRO H 444 – 01, 255 mm TL, juvenile male; CSIRO H 445 – 01, 319 mm TL, juvenile male; CSIRO H 446 – 01, 205 mm TL (tail damaged), juvenile male, collected with holotype; CSIRO H 600 – 01, 357 mm TL, female, Saumarez Plateau, Queensland, 22 ° 44 ' S, 154 ° 12 ' E, 492 m, 17 Nov. 1985; CSIRO H 602 – 01, 324 mm TL, female; CSIRO H 602 – 03, 229 mm TL, female; CSIRO H 602 – 04, 226 mm TL, juvenile male; CSIRO H 602 – 05, 250 mm TL, female; CSIRO H 602 – 24, 220 mm TL, juvenile male, Saumarez Plateau, Queensland, 22 ° 40 ' S, 154 ° 05 ' E, 416 – 421 m, 17 Nov. 1985; CSIRO H 630 – 03, 370 mm TL, adult male, Saumarez Plateau, Queensland, 22 ° 35 ' S, 153 ° 46 ' E, 345 – 350 m, 17 Nov. 1985; CSIRO H 643 – 01, 192 mm TL (tail damaged), juvenile male, northeast of Whitsunday Group, Queensland, 19 ° 38 ' S, 150 ° 33 ' E, 312 – 318 m, 15 Nov. 1985; CSIRO H 644 – 01, 298 mm TL, female; CSIRO H 644 – 02, 281 mm TL, female, Saumarez Plateau, Queensland, 22 ° 46 ' S, 154 ° 08 ' E, 445 – 450 m, 17 Nov. 1985; CSIRO H 645 – 01, 277 mm TL, juvenile male, south-east of Swain Reefs, Queensland, 22 ° 59 ' S, 152 ° 57 ' E, 343 – 350 m, 18 Nov. 1985; CSIRO H 646 – 01, 287 mm TL, female; CSIRO H 646 – 02, 280 mm TL, female; CSIRO H 646 – 03, 277 mm TL, juvenile male, Swain Reefs, Queensland, 21 ° 20 ' S, 153 ° 32 ' E, 502 m, 20 Nov. 1985; CSIRO H 647 – 01, 285 mm TL, female, south of Marion Reef, Queensland, 19 ° 44 ' S, 152 ° 12 ' E, 406 – 435 m, 23 Nov. 1985; CSIRO H 648 – 01, 264 mm TL, female; CSIRO H 648 – 02, 326 mm TL, adult male; CSIRO H 648 – 03, 339 mm TL, adult male; CSIRO H 648 – 04, 227 mm TL, juvenile male, east of Townsville, Queensland, 18 ° 59 ' S, 149 ° 28 ' E, 452 – 453 m, 26 Nov. 1985; CSIRO H 649 – 01, 315 mm TL, female, off Townsville, Queensland, 17 ° 55 ' S, 147 ° 05 ' E, 340 – 348 m, 29 Nov. 1985; CSIRO H 650 – 01, 343 mm TL, juvenile male, north-east of Hinchinbrook Island, Queensland, 17 ° 54 ' S, 146 ° 56 ' E, 212 m, 9 Dec. 1985; CSIRO H 720 – 10, 152 mm TL, juvenile male, south of Saumarez Reef, Queensland, 23 ° 12 ' S, 153 ° 37 ' E, 399 – 405 m, 18 Nov. 1985; CSIRO H 3464 – 01, 196 mm TL, juvenile male, Marian Plateau, Queensland, 18 ° 57 ' S, 149 ° 31 ' E, 494 – 512 m, 26 Nov. 1985.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA64FFA9FF787FFAFBA4BCD9.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A species of Pavoraja with: a relatively long tail, length 53 – 61 % TL, width at midlength 1.4 – 2.2 % TL; relatively narrow interorbital space, width 2.4 – 3.2 % TL; narrowly spaced gill slits, width between first fill openings 10.5 – 13.7 % TL; orbital thorns large, mostly 3 on posteromedial margin; interorbital thorns sometimes present; spiracular thorns absent; scapular thorns rarely present; nuchal pore patch indistinct, not preceded by a nuchal thorn; thorns of tail series large, decreasing in size posteriorly, often absent immediately before first dorsal fin; interdorsal space short, fins rarely connected; epichordal lobe of caudal fin not confluent with second dorsal fin, base of lobe variable in length, generally shorter than dorsal-fin bases; tooth rows in lower jaw 37 – 46; predorsal caudal centra 76 – 81; interdorsal vertebrae 9 – 13; pectoral radials usually 72 – 75 (one paratype has 69); dorsal surface yellowish, usually densely covered with small, unclustered pale spots; dorsal fins mostly pale anteriorly, dark posteriorly; epichordal lobe uniformly pale, strongly demarcated from dorsal fins; ventral surface usually uniformly white.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA64FFA9FF787FFAFBA4BCD9.taxon	description	Description. Disc 1.16 (1.10 – 1.20) times as broad as long; maximum angle in front of spiracles 99 ° (90 – 103 °); anterior margin weakly double concave to almost straight in females and immature males, mostly deeply concave opposite spiracles in males; posterior margin strongly convex; outer corners broadly rounded. Snout width at axis through anterior border of orbits 62 % (60 – 64 % in mature male, 69 – 79 % in female paratypes) of distance from tip of snout to axil of pectoral fins. Pelvic-fin anterior margin 66 % (64 – 77 % in mature male, 76 – 88 % in female paratypes) of distance from origin of anterior lobe to posterior extremity of fin. Tail length 1.21 (1.09 – 1.42) disc length; widths at midlength and at axils of pelvic fins 50 (33 – 50) and 113 (81 – 115) of orbit diameter respectively; narrow skin fold extending along ventrolateral surface from near (mostly just behind) pelvic-fin tip to near origin of hypochordal lobe of caudal fin, widest under dorsal fins (subequal in height to epichordal lobe of caudal fin). Interdorsal distance mostly short, fins rarely connected, much less than half length of first dorsal-fin base (subequal to first dorsal-fin base in CSIRO H 650 – 01); base length of epichordal caudal-fin lobe variable but generally shorter than bases of dorsal fins, separated slightly from base of second dorsal fin. Preocular length 2.50 (2.29 – 3.00) times longer than orbit diameter; preoral length 2.21 (2.28 – 2.85) times internarial distance. Orbit diameter 1.45 (1.40 – 2.00) times interorbital distance; 1.60 (1.40 – 2.00) times length of spiracles. Internarial distance 1.46 (0.39 – 0.50) in distance between first gill slits; 0.86 (0.61 – 0.90) in distance between fifth gill slits. Length of first gill slit 1.33 (1.00 – 1.67) times length of fifth gill slit; 0.17 (0.13 – 0.23) in mouth width. Dorsal surfaces of disc and tail densely covered with fine denticles, less so on posterior lobes of pelvic fins. Dorsal fins weakly denticulate. Claspers, anterior lobes of pelvic fins, skin folds on tail, caudal lobes and entire ventral surface naked. Orbit with 1 – 5 (mostly 3 or 4) thorns on anteromedial margin, 2 – 5 (mostly 3) on posteromedial margin; these series almost connected, rarely with one thorn on medial margin; rarely with a single interorbital thorn; interspiracular thorns absent. Prenuchal and nuchal thorns variable, 0 – 5 (mostly 2 or 3), situated posterior to pale, pored prenuchal area; often absent in juveniles; smaller peripheral nuchal thorns and scapular thorns absent. Tail with rather large, widely spaced thorns arranged in 1 – 3 series; thorns decreasing in number and size posteriorly; dorsolateral series mostly absent from posterior half of tail; rarely extending anteriorly onto disc in juveniles and adult males (largest females with 2 – 4 rows of enlarged thorns extending forward almost to mid disc); median series originating over cloaca or slightly behind, continuous but less well developed in predorsal area than on anterior tail; interdorsal thorns absent. Adult males with 1 – 2 (mainly 1) regular rows of small non-retractable alar thorns, not developed into dense patch of irregularly shaped thorns; malar thorns slightly smaller, directed posteriorly; malar patch very broad, extending along most of outer pectoral corner (from immediately behind greatest concavity of anterior margin of disc to level of pectoral-fin insertion). Smallest juvenile (CSIRO H 720 – 10) with 1 small anteromedial orbital thorn, 1 – 2 posteromedial orbital thorns; nuchal thorns absent; median row of tail thorns barely larger than surrounding denticles. Claspers slender (Figs 20 a – c); pseudorhipidion continuing distally under sentinel as fold of integument, finally becoming fused to glans floor; slit lateral to distal portion of pseudorhipidion; spur well developed, poorly defined proximally, distal tip lying slightly inside glans margin; rhipidion poorly developed, extending from proximal third to middle of glans, seldom reaching base of sentinel; sentinel well developed, rod-shaped with rounded distal margin, covered with integument that is thicker and more fleshy laterally, extending from level of slit to tip of glans; spike just visible within sentina; axial cartilage straight, very slender; dorsal marginal slightly expanded distally; pseudorhipidion blade-like over middle third, thinning to a sharp point distally; ventral marginal with an evenly convex distal margin; dorsal terminal 1 and ventral terminal tightly joined on ventral aspect of glans, together forming sheath-like covering over central half of glans; dorsal terminal 1 membranous (though well defined), deeply corrugated, proximal and distal margins jagged; ventral terminal corrugated, membranous, thickened area immediately distal to moderately short proximal arm, penetrating glans and lying against dorsal margin of proximal extension of accessory terminal 1, distolateral margin with sharp serrations; dorsal terminal 2 with poorly defined cartilaginous projection joined to axial near level of accessory terminal 2 base by connective tissue (incomplete terminal bridge), outer lateral margin with fine serrations; dorsal terminal 3 moderately large; accessory terminal 1 with a bow-shaped distal extension forming sentinel, almost reaching distal margin of accessory terminal 2. Neurocranium of CSIRO H 442 – 01 typical of genus; with no free accessory lateral cartilages but rostral appendices with small foramina; 2 large foramina near apex of rostral node; rostral shaft elongate, subequal in length to basal fenestra; posterior fontanelle much longer than anterior fontanelle. Scapulocoracoid with 2 – 3 postventral foramina; central foramen smallest when present. Meristics (n = 10). Tooth rows in upper jaw 41 (38 – 46), in lower jaw 41 (37 – 46). Vertebral counts: monospondylous centra 27 (26 – 30), predorsal caudal centra 78 (76 – 81), interdorsal centra 12 (9 – 13), diplospondylous centra 113 (106 – 117), total centra 140 (133 – 146). Pectoral-fin counts: propterygial radials 33 (32 – 35), mesopterygial radials 12 (12 – 14), metapterygial radials 27 – 28 (25 – 29), total radials 72 – 73 (72 – 75, one nonspotted specimen CSIRO H 630 – 03 had 69). Pelvic-fin counts: males 4 (3 – 4) + 19 (18 – 20) radials, females 3 – 4 + 18 – 20 radials. Coloration. Preserved and live colour similar. Dorsal surface of disc, tail and posterior lobes of pelvic fins uniform yellowish brown or pale brown; disc variably spotted, usually with a dense arrangement of small nonclustered white spots (some specimens, juveniles and some large females, lacking spots); spots relatively sharp-edged, sometimes surrounded by slightly darker rim; spots less dense or absent on tail and posterior pelvic lobes, where present rarely extending past posterior pelvic insertion; pale nuchal pore patch weak or absent; mid area of snout and outer part of disc generally paler than central part of disc, somewhat translucent; anterior pelvic lobe usually white; membrane covering orbits semi-translucent, lightly pigmented; lateral skin fold white, strongly demarcated from darker dorsal surface of tail posteriorly. Clasper not uniformly pigmented dorsally, proximal half paler than distal half, posterolateral tip of glans white. Dorsal fins two-toned pale or white anteriorly, dusky or almost black posterodorsally. Epichordal lobe of caudal fin uniformly pale, strongly demarcated from dorsal fins. Ventral surface mostly uniform white to semi-translucent, occasionally with yellowish to greyish areas centrally or near outer corners of disc. Smallest juveniles (less than 200 mm TL) either plain or white spotted with weak evidence of slightly darker tail bands; dorsal fins strongly demarcated from rest of tail; ventral surface translucent. Size. At least 372 mm TL and about 205 mm disc width. Smallest mature male 321 mm TL. Post-natal by 152 mm TL.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA64FFA9FF787FFAFBA4BCD9.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Known from the upper continental slope off Queensland, between the outer reef north of Townsville (17 ° 55 ' S, 147 ° 05 ' E) and south of the Saumarez Reef (23 ° 12 ' S, 153 ° 37 ' E), in depths of 212 – 512 m.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA64FFA9FF787FFAFBA4BCD9.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Combination of the Greek pseudos (false) with the Latin nitidus (elegant) in allusion to the superficial resemblance to its congener, Pavoraja nitida. Comparisons. Along with Pavoraja nitida and P. m o s a i c a, this species can be distinguished from other consubgeners by the presence of a pattern of white spots on the dorsal surface of the disc. Apart from the additional characters provided in the key and diagnoses, P. pseudonitida differs from P. nitida in the appearance of the spotted pattern (spots spaced well apart rather than in clusters), and in having more teeth rows in the lower jaw (37 – 46 rather than 31 – 36) and more predorsal caudal centra (76 – 81 rather than 62 – 70). Pavoraja mosaica has a more distinctive and richer colour pattern, a shorter tail (51 – 53 % rather than 53 – 61 % TL), the second dorsal fin and epichordal lobe are confluent (rather than separated), and lacks interorbital, nuchal, prenuchal and scapular thorns (often present in P. pseudonitida).	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA64FFA9FF787FFAFBA4BCD9.taxon	discussion	Remarks. P. pseudonitida belongs to the Cape and North Eastern marine biogeographic provinces of Australia where it is found primarily in the upper slope biome (Last et al., 2005).	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA5DFFA3FF7879C2FA82BBB4.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. CSIRO T 1367, 351 mm TL, adult male, off Stradbroke Island, Queensland, 27 ° 40 ' S, 153 ° 56 ' E, 530 m, 22 Nov. 1982. Paratypes. 28 specimens (83 – 369 mm TL): AMS I 19093 – 005 (5 specimens), 83 mm TL, juvenile male; 107 mm TL, female; 113 mm TL, female; 115 mm TL, female; 140 mm TL, female, off Wooli, New South Wales, 29 ° 52 ' S, 153 ° 43 ' E, 503 m, 10 Oct. 1975; AMS I 20301 – 023 (11 specimens), 90 mm TL, female; 94 mm TL, juvenile male; 99 mm TL, juvenile male; 128 mm TL, female; 233 mm TL, female; 241 mm TL, juvenile male; 270 mm TL, juvenile male; 302 mm TL, female; 306 mm TL, female; 306 mm TL, adolescent male; 334 mm TL, female, off Wooli, New South Wales, 29 ° 53 ' S, 153 ° 42 ' E, 502 m, 23 Aug. 1977; AMS I 21776 – 006, 250 mm TL, female, off Danger Point, Queensland, 28 ° 02 ' S, 153 ° 57 ' E, 410 m, 1 Jun. 1978; AMS I 21777 – 004 (3 specimens), 206 mm TL, juvenile male; 272 mm TL, juvenile male; 335 mm TL, female, off Danger Point, Queensland, 28 ° 06 ' S, 153 ° 58 ' E, 410 m, 1 Jun. 1978; AMS I 21789 – 003, 302 mm TL, juvenile male, off Danger Point, Queensland, 27 ° 55 ' S, 154 ° 03 ' E, 548 m, 6 Nov. 1978; AMS I 21795 – 0 11, 329 mm TL, female, off Danger Point, Queensland, 28 ° 03 ' S, 154 ° 04 ' E, 731 m, 6 Nov. 1978; CSIRO H 157 – 01, 349 mm TL, adult male, east of Wooli, New South Wales, 29 ° 50 ' S, 153 ° 41 ' E, 360 m, 18 Jul. 1982; CSIRO T 1363, 369 mm TL, adult male; CSIRO T 1364, 309 mm TL, female, east of Moreton Island, Queensland, 27 ° 12 ' S, 153 ° 52 ' E, 555 m, 10 May 1983; CSIRO T 1365, 300 mm TL, juvenile male, off North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, 27 ° 35 ' S, 153 ° 57 ' E, 545 m, 31 Mar. 1983; CSIRO T 1366, 319 mm TL, female, off North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, 27 ° 19 ' S, 153 ° 53 ' E, 600 m, 10 May 1983; CSIRO T 1368, 304 mm TL, adolescent male, off North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, 27 ° 35 ' S, 153 ° 57 ' E, 545 m, 31 Mar. 1983.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA5DFFA3FF7879C2FA82BBB4.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A species of Pavoraja with: with a relatively long, narrow tail, length 56 – 60 % TL, width at midlength 1.3 – 1.8 % TL; large orbits, diameter 4.3 – 5.4 % TL; broad nasal curtain, total width 6.7 – 7.6 % TL; orbital thorns large, mostly 3 on posteromedial margin; interorbital usually absent; spiracular and scapular thorns absent; nuchal pore patch indistinct, not preceded by a nuchal thorn; thorns of tail series normally absent near first dorsal fin, lateral series often absent; dorsal fin placement variable, fins confluent to widely spaced; epichordal lobe of caudal fin not confluent with second dorsal fin, base of lobe equal to in length or shorter than dorsal-fin bases; tooth rows in lower jaw 36 – 42; predorsal caudal centra 74 – 83; interdorsal vertebrae 10 – 13; pectoral radials 68 – 71; greyish brown, often with darker dusky blotches, lacking pattern of white spots; dorsal fins uniformly greyish to blackish; epichordal lobe pale to dusky, not strongly demarcated from dorsal fins; ventral surface mostly dark.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA5DFFA3FF7879C2FA82BBB4.taxon	description	Description. Disc 1.15 (1.07 – 1.19) times as broad as long; maximum angle in front of spiracles 103 ° (94 – 101 °); anterior margin weakly convex to double concave in females and immature males, deeply concave opposite spiracles in males; posterior margin strongly convex; outer corners broadly rounded. Snout width at axis through anterior border of orbits 60 % (63 – 65 % in mature male, 71 % in female paratypes) of distance from tip of snout to axil of pectoral fins. Pelvic-fin anterior margin 72 % (74 – 88 %) of distance from origin of anterior lobe to posterior extremity of fin. Tail length 1.25 (1.10 – 1.37) times disc length; widths at midlength and at axils of pelvic fins 32 % (25 – 34 %) and 84 % (73 – 84 %) of orbit diameter respectively; skin fold very narrow anteriorly, extending along ventrolateral surface from near pelvic-fin tip to near origin of hypochordal lobe of caudal fin, much wider beneath dorsal fins (subequal or slightly exceeding height of epichordal lobe of caudal fin). Interdorsal distance variable, interdorsal membrane continuous or fins separated by as much as epichordal lobe length; epichordal caudal-fin lobe separated slightly from base of second dorsal fin (by a distance of up to base length of lobe), base shorter than bases of dorsal fins. Preocular length 2.08 (2.09 – 2.53) times longer than orbit diameter; preoral length 2.40 (2.19 – 2.55) times internarial distance. Orbit diameter 1.57 (1.66 – 1.95) times interorbital distance; 2.12 (1.69 – 2.18) times length of spiracles. Internarial distance 0.44 (0.40 – 0.48) in distance between first gill slits; 0.78 (0.66 – 0.85) in distance between fifth gill slits. Length of first gill slit 1.41 (1.26 – 1.50) times length of fifth gill slit; 0.18 (0.17 – 0.20) in mouth width. Dorsal surfaces of disc, tail and posterior lobes of pelvic fins densely covered with granular denticles. Dorsal fins denticulate. Claspers, anterior lobes of pelvic fins, skin folds on tail, caudal lobes and entire ventral surface naked. Orbit with 2 – 4 thorns on anteromedial margin, 1 – 4 (mainly 3) on posteromedial margin (often damaged); one interorbital thorn rarely present; interspiracular and scapular thorns absent. Prenuchal and nuchal thorns 0 – 4 (holotype damaged, mainly 2 or 3 in paratypes), situated posterior to pale, pored prenuchal area; thorns well developed, prominent when undamaged. Tail with 1 – 3 (mainly 3) series of thorns; dorsolateral series short, variable (usually absent in specimens <240 mm TL), rarely extending onto disc, sparse or absent on posterior half of tail, thorns often staggered; median series more regular, never extending onto disc, rudimentary or absent before dorsal fins; interdorsal thorns never present. Adult males with 2 – 3 irregular rows of small non-retractable alar thorns; alar thorns sometimes paired, not forming a dense patch; malar thorns much smaller, situated anterolaterally to alar thorns, patch extending anteriorly well short of greatest concavity of anterior margin of disc, to about level of pectoral-fin apex. Smallest juvenile (AMS I 19093 – 005): disc uniformly granular, no obvious orbital or nuchal thorns; tail thorns in a linear median row, equally Claspers slender (Figs 20 d – f); pseudorhipidion continuing distally under sentinel as fold of integument, finally becoming fused to glans floor; spur well developed though proximal section poorly defined, distal tip slightly recurved, lying inside glans margin; rhipidion moderately well developed, extending from middle to distal one-third of glans, proximal section very thin, thicker distal section lying over base of sentinel; sentinel well developed, oval, covered by integument which is thicker and more fleshy over lateral region, extending from level of slit to past tip of glans; spike hidden within sentina; axial cartilage straight, slender; dorsal marginal not expanded distally; pseudorhipidion rod-shaped though thickened before thinning distally to a point; ventral marginal with an evenly convex distal margin; dorsal terminal 1 and ventral terminal cartilages narrowly joined on ventral aspect of glans or connected by tissue, together forming sheath-like covering over central half of glans; dorsal terminal 1 membranous; ventral terminal mostly membranous, with thickened area immediately distal to short proximal arm, penetrating glans and lying against dorsal margin of proximal extension of accessory terminal 1; dorsal terminal 2 with poorly defined cartilaginous projection joined to axial near level of accessory terminal 2 base by connective tissue (incomplete terminal bridge), lateral margin irregular; dorsal terminal 3 moderately large; accessory terminal 1 with a bow-shaped distal extension forming sentinel, extending slightly past distal margin of accessory terminal 2. Neurocranium of CSIRO T 1364 typical of genus; with very small accessory lateral cartilages; 2 foramina near apex of rostral node; rostral shaft relatively long, longer than length of basal fenestra and extending about halfway to rostral base; posterior fontanelle slightly longer than anterior fontanelle. Scapulocoracoid expanded anteriorly, with 2 postventral foramina; extra condyle sometimes present on neopterygial ridge. Meristics (n = 6). Tooth rows in upper jaw 41 (36 – 46), in lower jaw 42 (36 – 42). Vertebral counts: monospondylous centra 28 (27 – 30), predorsal caudal centra 80 (74 – 83), interdorsal centra 12 (1 – 13), diplospondylous centra 116 (106 – 117), total centra 144 (134 – 147). Pectoral-fin counts: propterygial radials 32 (31 – 33), mesopterygial radials 12 (11 – 14), metapterygial radials 26 (23 – 27), total radials 70 (68 – 71). Pelvic-fin counts: males 4 (3 – 4) + 19 (17 – 19) radials, females 3 + 19 – 20 radials. Coloration. Preserved and live colours similar. Dorsal surface of disc, tail and posterior lobes of pelvic fins medium brown to dark brown, usually slightly mottled, with large, diffuse-edged dark brown blotches, no light-coloured spots but sometimes with indistinct paler blotches; membrane covering orbit semi-translucent to slightly pigmented; mid area of snout and outer part of disc only slightly paler than central part of disc; nuchal pore patch indistinct, not demarcated by a pale blotch; lateral skin fold dusky to almost black distally. Claspers brownish dorsally with blackish lateral margin, posterolateral extremity of glans white, dusky ventrally. Dorsal fins generally uniformly greyish to blackish; epichordal lobe of caudal fin dusky to pale, not usually strongly demarcated from dorsal fins. Ventral surface relatively dark, dark brownish to greyish; paler areas on snout, oronasal region, gill slits, cloaca and sometimes basal half of anterior pelvic-fin lobe; darkest areas between gills and around pectoral-fin corners; tail variably coloured with white and dark areas. Smallest juveniles (<100 mm TL) with fine black spots on disc (plain coloured in one paratype from AMS I 19093 – 0 0 5,> 110 mm TL); predorsal tail with irregular spotting and indistinct bands; prominent dark band below dorsal fins; ventral surface translucent or white. Size. At least 369 mm TL and about 191 mm disc width. Smallest mature male 349 mm TL. Smallest post-natal juvenile 83 mm TL.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA5DFFA3FF7879C2FA82BBB4.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Upper continental slope off eastern Australia, between east of Wooli, New South Wales (29 ° 53 ' S, 153 ° 42 ' E) and east of Moreton Island, Queensland (27 ° 12 ' S, 153 ° 52 ' E), in depths of 360 – 731 m.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA5DFFA3FF7879C2FA82BBB4.taxon	etymology	Etymology. From the Latin umbrosus (shady) in allusion to the uniform greyish dorsal surface of the disc. Comparisons. Pavoraja umbrosa is similar morphometrically and meristically to its eastern Australian congener, P. pseudonitida, but lacks interorbital thorns (sometimes present in P. pseudonitida), the dorsal surface is greyish without small white spots (otherwise spotted), the ventral surface is dusky (rather than pale), and the epichordal lobe of caudal fin is mainly dusky and is not usually strongly demarcated from the dorsal fins (in P. pseudonitida the dorsal fins are strongly contrasted against a pale epichordal lobe). Pavoraja umbrosa differs from other members of the genus by combinations of characters given in the key and diagnoses.	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
CC226640DA5DFFA3FF7879C2FA82BBB4.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Pavoraja umbrosa belongs to the Central Eastern marine biogeographic province of Australia where it is found primarily in the upper slope and mid – upper slope biomes (Last et al., 2005). P. pseudonitida sp. nov. P. umbrosa sp. nov. Holotype Paratypes Holotype Paratypes Min. Max. Mean Min. Max. Mean Total length (mm) 372 250 370 351 300 369	en	Last, Peter R., Yearsley, Stephen Mallick And Gordon K. (2008): A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae). Zootaxa 1812: 1-45, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182801
