BIOTIC Species Information for Dipturus batis
Researched byKen Neal & Paolo Pizzolla Data supplied byMarLIN
Refereed byThis information is not refereed.
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & IrelandPopulations of Dipturus batis are found off the coasts of Isles of Scilly, western British Channel, west and north Ireland and west Scotland.
Global distributionAtlantic coasts from Madeira and northern Morocco northward to Iceland including the North Sea. Also in western part of the Baltic and western and northern Mediterranean.
Biogeographic rangeNot researched Depth range10 to 600 m
MigratoryNon-migratory / Resident   
Distribution Additional InformationDipturus batis was found around all British and Irish coasts except the south east. However, it has disappeared from much of its former range due to fishing pressure (Brander, 1981, Walker & Hislop, 1998; Jennings et al., 1999; Rogers & Ellis, 2000). Remnant populations occur in areas unsuitable for commercial fishing (Shark Trust pers. comm.).

Substratum preferencesMuddy gravel
Coarse clean sand
Fine clean sand
Sandy mud
Muddy sand
Mud
Mixed
Physiographic preferencesOpen coast
Offshore seabed
Biological zoneUpper Infralittoral
Lower Infralittoral
Upper Circalittoral
Lower Circalittoral
Wave exposureVery Exposed
Exposed
Moderately Exposed
Sheltered
Very Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flowStrong (3-6 kn)
Moderately Strong (1-3 kn)
Weak (<1 kn)
Very Weak (negligible)
SalinityFull (30-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information
Distribution References Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Muus & Dahlstrom, 1974, Dipper, 2001, Walker & Hislop, 1998, Brander, 1981, JNCC, 1999, Rogers & Ellis, 2000, Whitehead et al., 1986, Jennings et al. 1999,
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