User:Tds018/Giant guitarfish

Taxonomy and range
The giant guitarfish was previously believed to range throughout a large part of the Indo-Pacific. However, recent evidence has shown that it, as traditionally defined, actually was a species complex consisting of four different species.[1] In addition to the giant guitarfish, this complex includes the white-spotted guitarfish, the broad nose wedge fish, and possibly the smoothnose wedgefish. With these as separate species, the giant guitarfish has a relatively restricted range; it is found only in the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the western Indian Ocean as far south as South Africa.[2][3] Ranging across the western Indian Ocean, it is common to misidentify the separate species of guitarfish within a similar range.[4]

Breeding
The giant guitarfish is considered ovoviviparous, where the embryos initially feed on the yolk and then receive more nourishment from uterine fluid enriched with mucus which is obtained by means of indirect absorption. Because of their lower fecundity, the giant guitarfish are known to only produce, on average, four pups per litter during the summer.[2][3] However, it has been documented that giant guitarfish can deliver up to ten pups per litter.[3]

Habitat
It is a shy fish, found at depths of 2–50 m (6.6–164.0 ft), inhabiting areas with a sandy sea floor. These are generally around coastal reefs or reef flats, but they sometimes venture into estuaries' brackish waters.[1][2]

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The giant guitarfish (Rhynchobatus djiddensis), also known as the white-spotted wedge fish, is a large species of guitarfish in the family Rhinidae. It is restricted to the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and western Indian Ocean [1] but was formerly considered more widespread due to confusion with its relatives. As of July 2019, all the species of guitarfishes have been identified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, where the populations are confronted by potential extinction.[2]

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Taxonomy and Range- This section discusses the taxonomy and known range of the giant guitarfish. The giant guitarfish is physically similar to other species and is often confused with the other guitarfishes. Part of this is due to inhabiting the same range as the other species.

Behavior (Breeding)- This section states the reproduction and development of the giant guitarfish. It also introduces when the females give birth to their pups and how many pups there are per litter.

Habitat- This section introduces the habitat of the giant guitarfish. This includes the depth, the geological area, and the types of water the fish inhabits.