,
j -
.)
J
23.2 Torpedo nobiliana: 30.5 em wide female (off Orange River). ventral view.
23.3 Torpedo sinuspersici
Olfers, 1831
PLATE 5
Marbled electric ray
Marmer-drilvis
Torpedo sinus-persici Olfers, 1831: 15 (presumably Persian Gulf);
Wallace, 1967: 53*. Torpedo sinuspersici: van der Elst, 1981: 63*.
Torpedo marmorata (non Risso, 1810): Smith, SFSA No. 91 (in part; not
Fig.).
Brightly patterned, unlike other species of Torpedo.
Indian Ocean, on the east coast of southern Africa from
East Cape to Mozambique, also Madagascar, Red Sea,
Persian Gulf and India. Maximum length about 130 cm,
most smaller. Common in shallow water in sandy areas, but
occurring down to 200 m. Occasionally hooked by anglers,
more often seen by divers; can deliver a strong shock. Name
provisional.
Family No. 24: NARKIDAE
by L.J.V. Compagno
Numbfish
Drilvisse
Head, body and pectoral fins form a rounded disc with 2
large, kidney-shaped electric organs on either side of head.
Nasal flaps form a narrow, long nasal curtain; mouth
narrow and transverse. Five pairs of gill openings on underside of disc. Jaws with minute cuspidate teeth. Two, one, or
no dorsal fins; a large caudal fin and a short, strong tail.
Small to moderate-sized batoid fishes, largest less than 1
m long. Pectoral disc not used for swimming, propulsion by
tail and caudal fin. Mostly deep-water rays encountered in
24: NARKIDAE (NUMB FISH)
trawl catches, some capable of delivering powerful shocks.
Indian Ocean and western Pacific in temperate and tropical
seas. At least 3 genera, 2 in our area.
KEY TO GENERA
la Two dorsal fins .............................. .... .. ............... Heteronarce
Ib One dorsal fin .... .. .................. .. ........ .. .. .. ....... .. ........... Narke
Genus Heteronarce Regan, 1921
Three species, 1 in our area.
24.1 Heteronarce garmani
Regan, 1921
Natal electric ray
Natalse drilvis
Heteronarce garmani Regan, 1921: 414 (Natal); Smith, SFSA No. 90*;
1964: 291*; Wallace, 1967: 55*; Hulley, 1972: 2*. Heteronarcereganivon
Bonde & Swart, 1923: 14, Fig. 2, PI. 22 (Natal) . Narcine natalensis Fowler,
1925: 198, Fig. 2 (Natal).
Pectoral disc slightly longer than wide , length about half total length;
disc smooth. Margin of spiracles without tentacles.
Colour brown above, with obscure dark markings, white
on underside. Attains 25 cm TL. Known only from Algoa
Bay to Natal in 73 - 329 m. Rare, more specimens wanted.
24.1 Heteronaree garmani: 10 em wide (off Natal; after von Bonde & Swart.
1923).
113
j -
.)
J
23.2 Torpedo nobiliana: 30.5 em wide female (off Orange River). ventral view.
23.3 Torpedo sinuspersici
Olfers, 1831
PLATE 5
Marbled electric ray
Marmer-drilvis
Torpedo sinus-persici Olfers, 1831: 15 (presumably Persian Gulf);
Wallace, 1967: 53*. Torpedo sinuspersici: van der Elst, 1981: 63*.
Torpedo marmorata (non Risso, 1810): Smith, SFSA No. 91 (in part; not
Fig.).
Brightly patterned, unlike other species of Torpedo.
Indian Ocean, on the east coast of southern Africa from
East Cape to Mozambique, also Madagascar, Red Sea,
Persian Gulf and India. Maximum length about 130 cm,
most smaller. Common in shallow water in sandy areas, but
occurring down to 200 m. Occasionally hooked by anglers,
more often seen by divers; can deliver a strong shock. Name
provisional.
Family No. 24: NARKIDAE
by L.J.V. Compagno
Numbfish
Drilvisse
Head, body and pectoral fins form a rounded disc with 2
large, kidney-shaped electric organs on either side of head.
Nasal flaps form a narrow, long nasal curtain; mouth
narrow and transverse. Five pairs of gill openings on underside of disc. Jaws with minute cuspidate teeth. Two, one, or
no dorsal fins; a large caudal fin and a short, strong tail.
Small to moderate-sized batoid fishes, largest less than 1
m long. Pectoral disc not used for swimming, propulsion by
tail and caudal fin. Mostly deep-water rays encountered in
24: NARKIDAE (NUMB FISH)
trawl catches, some capable of delivering powerful shocks.
Indian Ocean and western Pacific in temperate and tropical
seas. At least 3 genera, 2 in our area.
KEY TO GENERA
la Two dorsal fins .............................. .... .. ............... Heteronarce
Ib One dorsal fin .... .. .................. .. ........ .. .. .. ....... .. ........... Narke
Genus Heteronarce Regan, 1921
Three species, 1 in our area.
24.1 Heteronarce garmani
Regan, 1921
Natal electric ray
Natalse drilvis
Heteronarce garmani Regan, 1921: 414 (Natal); Smith, SFSA No. 90*;
1964: 291*; Wallace, 1967: 55*; Hulley, 1972: 2*. Heteronarcereganivon
Bonde & Swart, 1923: 14, Fig. 2, PI. 22 (Natal) . Narcine natalensis Fowler,
1925: 198, Fig. 2 (Natal).
Pectoral disc slightly longer than wide , length about half total length;
disc smooth. Margin of spiracles without tentacles.
Colour brown above, with obscure dark markings, white
on underside. Attains 25 cm TL. Known only from Algoa
Bay to Natal in 73 - 329 m. Rare, more specimens wanted.
24.1 Heteronaree garmani: 10 em wide (off Natal; after von Bonde & Swart.
1923).
113