Java stingaree
| Java stingaree | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Superorder: | Batoidea |
| Order: | Myliobatiformes |
| Family: | Urolophidae |
| Genus: | Urolophus |
| Species: | †U. javanicus
|
| Binomial name | |
| †Urolophus javanicus (Martens, 1864)
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
The Java stingaree (Urolophus javanicus) was a
habitat degradation
.
Taxonomy
In July 1862, German
zoologist Eduard von Martens purchased the sole known specimen of the Java stingaree at a fish market in Jakarta. He described it as Trygonoptera javanica in an 1864 volume of the scientific journal Monatsberichte der Akademie der Wissenschaft zu Berlin (Monthly Report of the Academy of Sciences, Berlin).[3] Subsequent authors moved this species to the genus Urolophus.[4]
Distribution and habitat
The Java stingaree has only been found off Java, perhaps in the vicinity of Jakarta. Its exact range, and depth and habitat preferences, are unknown but probably very restricted.[1]
Description
The Java stingaree has an oval
dermal denticles, though there are tiny white bumps on the upper central portion of the disc. This species is dark brown above, with many indistinct darker and lighter spots, and pale below. The sole specimen measures 33 cm (13 in) long.[3][4]
Biology and ecology
Very little is known of the natural history of the Java stingaree. It is presumably
aplacental viviparous with a small litter size, as in other stingarees.[1]
Human interactions
No new Java stingaree specimens have emerged since the first was discovered over 150 years ago, and it is feared to be
habitat degradation from the proximity of major population centers. While it is possible that captured specimens have gone unrecognized, if this species still survives its population would almost certainly be gravely imperilled; this has led to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessing it as Extinct as of 31 March 2023.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Constance, J.; Ebert, D.A.; Fahmi, Finucci, B.; Simeon, B.; Kyne, P.M. (2023). "Urolophus javanicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2023: e.T60095A229337053. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Urolophus javanicus". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ a b Martens, E. von (April 18, 1864). "Über eine neue Art von Rochen, Trygonoptera javanica". Monatsberichte der Akademie der Wissenschaft zu Berlin. 1864: 260–264.
- ^ ISBN 92-5-104302-7.