1. Narke =paralysis Numbfish
Narcinidae
Narke =paralysis
Numbfish

2. Characteristics Round flat disc w/ soft edges no denticles or thorns
Large spiracles
Prominent caudal fin
1st dorsal fin =2nd dorsal fin
Mouth tubular and protractile
Bioelectrogenesis in electric organs behind eyes for sensing and stunning prey
8-37 volts
Accessory electric organ
electroplaques
Nocturnal

3. Family Narcinidae
9 genera w/ 40 spp. (last three often included in separate family)
Benthobatis –blind rays
3 spp.
Crassinarke – sleeper torpedo
1 spp.
Diplobatis- painted ray
4 spp.
Discopyge –Apron ray
Heteronarce –soft electric ray
Narcine – lesser electric ray
19 spp.
Narke
Temera
Typhlonarke
2 spp.

4. New species 2003 Benthobatis yangi 2003 Narcine atzi
2002 Narcine insolita
2002 Narcine oculifera
2001 Narcine leoparda

5. distribution Sandy or muddy shallow waters
Atlantic
Pacific
Indian Ocean
Temperate to subtropical waters
Narcine -circumtropical concentrated in Indo-West Pacific
Benthobatis -Atlantic and Indian
Diplobatis -E. Pacific and W. Atlantic
Discopyge- S.W. Atlantic and S.E. Pacific
Crassinarke- W. North Pacific
Heteronarce –W. and C. Indian Ocean

6. Diplobatis ommata

7. Narcine brasiliensis

8. Crassinarke dormitor– sleeper torpedo

9. Diplobatis pictus- painted ray

10. Discopyge tschudii –Apron ray

11. Feeding Tubular mouth extended to suck up benthic prey
Polychaete worms
Crustaceans
Small teleosts
anemones

12. Reproduction Ovoviviparous Nourished w/ yolk them histotroph
Young born w/ ability to produce electrical charge

13. IUCN red list Bycatch of bottom trawl fisheries Fish meal
2 spp. Off S. America
Discopyge tschudii – neat threatened
Narcine leoparda – near threatened
6 spp. listed as vulnerable
Benthobatis kreffti, 4 spp. Of Diplobatis

14. Lesser electric ray Narcine brasiliensis
Distributed in shallow W. Atlantic; common in Gulf of Mexico
Color varies from brown to orange w/ rings or ovals on dorsal surface
Disc width 20cm, length 45 cm
17-34 tooth rows in each jaw
Conical, and sharp

15. Lesser electric ray

16. Lesser electric ray