Greenback stingaree

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Greenback stingaree
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Superorder: Batoidea
Order: Myliobatiformes
Family: Urolophidae
Genus: Urolophus
Species:
U. viridis
Binomial name
Urolophus viridis
McCulloch, 1916

The greenback stingaree (Urolophus viridis) is a little-known

caudal fin, but lacks a dorsal fin
.

Usually found over soft

trawls; captured rays rarely survive and also tend to abort their young. Stingaree populations on the New South Wales upper slope, presumably including this species, have declined precipitously as a result of commercial fishing. Consequently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the greenback stingaree as Vulnerable
.

Taxonomy

The greenback stingaree was described by Australian

rays (106–107 versus under 100).[3]

Distribution and habitat

Once common, the greenback stingaree occurs in warm-

continental slope. However, it has been reported from as shallow as 20 m (66 ft) and as deep as 300 m (980 ft).[1][3]

Description

The greenback stingaree has a diamond-shaped pectoral fin disc wider than long, with broadly rounded outer corners. The leading margins of the disc are nearly straight, and converge at an obtuse angle on the fleshy snout. The tip of the snout protrudes slightly past the disc. The eyes are large and followed by comma-shaped spiracles with rounded posterior margins. There is a skirt-shaped curtain of skin between the nostrils, with a finely fringed posterior margin; the posterior corners of the nasal curtain are extended into small lobes. The medium-sized mouth contains 4–7 variably shaped papillae (nipple-like structures) on the floor; additional papillae are found in a narrow strip on the lower jaw.[3] The teeth are small with roughly oval bases, and the five pairs of gill slits are short. The pelvic fins are small and rounded on their trailing margins.[3][4]

The tail is flattened at the base and measures 75–91% as long as the disc; a prominent skin fold runs along each side, and a deep, lance-shaped

dermal denticles. This species is a plain light green above, becoming lighter towards the edge of the disc, and off-white below, becoming purplish or pinkish towards the lateral margins of the disc; the ventral, lateral disc margins may also have a dark brown edge or blotches. The caudal fin is colored dark brown in juveniles and olive in adults. Some individuals are dark beneath the tail and/or on the tip of the snout. The maximum recorded length is 51 cm (20 in).[3]

Biology and ecology

The greenback stingaree preys mainly on

Lakes Entrance, Victoria apparently have a smaller maturation size than those elsewhere.[3]

Human interactions

The greenback stingaree and the

trawl bycatch of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF), operating on the upper continental slope off New South Wales. The New South Wales Oceanic Prawn Trawl Fishery and the Queensland East Coast Trawl Fishery also operate within the geographical and depth range of this species. Because of its deepwater habits, the greenback stingaree is unlikely to survive capture, and the process also often causes it to abort any gestating young. Though specific data is lacking, between 1976–77 and 1996–97, stingaree numbers on New South Wales upper slope fell by some two-thirds. Given these declines and the continuing intensity of fishing activities within its range, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed this ray as Vulnerable. It would potentially benefit from the implementation of the 2004 Australian National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.[1]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T60105A68650230.en
    . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ McCulloch, A.R. (October 31, 1916). "Report on some fishes obtained by the F.I.S. "Endeavour" on the coasts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South and South-Western Australia". Biological Results Endeavour. Part IV. 4 (4): 169–199.
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-0-674-03411-2
    .
  4. ISBN 92-5-104302-7
    .
  5. S2CID 13499358
    .

External links
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