Merauke stingray
📖 Overview
Little is known about the species but apparently lives mainly nearshore in shallow water. Probably attains more than 31 cm DW or 98 cm TL, no adults known . Juvenile specimens caught range from 9.1 to 16.2 cm DW .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
This small species is distinguished by the following combination of characters: plain-coloured with disc subcircular to weakly rhombic, denticle patch developing on central disc with age, continuous row of closely spaced thorns extending along mid-line of disc and tail, small mid-shoulder thorns sometimes present and long tail with dorsal fold reduced to low ridge or none at all, width of disc 1.0-1.1 times its length, trunk depressed; pectoral-fin apex broadly rounded; snout broadly triangular, tip extended slightly anterior margins almost straight; very small eyes, length of orbit and spiracle 2-2.3 in snout length; broad interorbital space, more than 3 times orbit length; narrow mouth with 5 oral papillae; weak labial furrows and folds; lower jaw strongly convex; nasal curtain skirt-shaped, short and broad, the margin weakly fringed, nostrils rather oblique; thorns are spear-shaped or lanceleote, in continuous median row, variable in size and becoming larger posteriorly, 3 nearest caudal sting often greatly enlarged; widely-spaced denticles confined to patched between orbits and on central disc of largest individuals; elongated tail is slender and constricted slightly at sting then becoming whip-like, it length 2.3-2.9 times WD, probably 1 sting; ventral fold elongate, low, (base length about equal to distance from snout to 5th gill slit); dorsal fold often a low ridge or absent; triangular pelvic fin .: other (see remarks); Cross section: flattened.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Merauke stingray is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Merauke stingray is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Merauke stingray is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 1 m . Tropical; 8°S - 11°S, 137°E - 148°E endemic to southern Guinea.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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