Sandwich whipray

📖 Overview

Sandwich whipray (Brevitrygon manjajiae) is a ray-finned fish of the family Dasyatidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. With a trophic level of 3.5, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Vertebrae: 87 - 101. This species (based on the Arabian Sea material), measuring to at least 25 cm DW, is distinguished by the following set of characters: snout length 28-30% DW, angle 108-113°; disc is longer than wide; orbits are small, diameter 5-6% DW; nostrils 4-5% DW and internasal width 11-13% DW; tail is relatively short, longer in males (1.3-1.5 times DW) than in females (0.9-1.3 times DW), with rudimentary, ridge-like ventral fold and fleshy lateral ridges; pelvic fins are relatively small, length 17-19% DW; postcloacal length of clasper to 19% DW; scapular denticles1-5 (usually 1) are small, seed- or heart-shaped, no scute-like thorns on dorsal surface of disc; secondary denticle band is well developed and sharply demarcated in adults, not strongly constricted over branchial region, width across scapulocoracoid and over abdomen subequal, converging posteriorly near pectoral-fin insertions; tail with well-developed denticle band forward of sting, with 3-8 enlarged seed to weakly lanceolate denticles or small thorns (typically 2.5-5 mm long); dorsal surface predominantly, uniformly brownish when skin undamaged, disc margin slightly paler brown; ventral disc, pelvic fins, and tail white, margins of pectoral and pelvic fins dark; pectoral-fin radials 102-111; total vertebral count (excluding first synarcual centra) 87-101 .Cross section: flattened.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Sandwich whipray is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal. Tropical Indian Ocean: Pakistan and India (Arabian Sea); possibly in the Persian/Arabian Gulf and questionable in the Red Sea.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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