Lesser guitarfish

The lesser guitarfish or lesser sandshark (Acroteriobatus annulatus) is a species of fish in the Rhinobatidae family.

Lesser guitarfish
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Subclass:	Elasmobranchii
Order:	Rhinopristiformes
Family:	Rhinobatidae
Genus:	Acroteriobatus
Species:	A. annulatus
Binomial name
Acroteriobatus annulatus (J. P. Müller & Henle, 1841)
Synonyms
Rhinobatos annulatus

Description

This sand shark grows up to 141 cm long. It has a flat, triangular snout with nearly translucent areas on either side. The upper part of the body is pale cream with dark rings surrounding dark spots. The underside is white. The dorsal fins are set well back on the tail.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

This shark lives on sandy plains.^[2] It is found in Angola, Namibia, South Africa, and possibly Mozambique. Its natural habitats are shallow seas and estuarine waters.

Conservation

This species is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN. It is threatened by habitat loss.