Leucoraja, Malm, 1877

Ebert, David A. & Leslie, Robin W., 2019, Leucoraja elaineae sp. nov., a new rough skate (Rajiformes: Rajidae) from the Western Indian Ocean, Zootaxa 4691 (3), pp. 225-234 : 233

Key to the Indian Ocean Leucoraja species (Modified after Ebert, 2014)

1a. Dorsal disc surface plain, without blotches, spots, or whorls...................................................2.

1b. Dorsal disc surface patterned with blotches, spots, or whorls...................................................3.

2a. Tail with distinct bands; anterior pelvic-fin lobe about as long as posterior lobe....... Leucoraja compagnoi ( South Africa).

2b. Tail plain colored, without banding; anterior pelvic-fin lobe considerably shorter than posterior lobe.................................................................... Leucoraja pristispina (Western Australia and eastern Indonesia).

3a. Tail with crossbars present; dorsal disc surface covered with yellow and brown rosettes and whorls; snout angle about ~110°; predorsal vertebrae 64–74.................................. Leucoraja wallacei ( Namibia to southern Mozambique).

3b. Tail without crossbars present; dorsal disc surface with prominent ocelli at pectoral fin base and paired small white spots; snout angle about ~95°; predorsal vertebrae 107....................................... Leucoraja elaineae n. sp. ( Kenya).