Masked stingaree

caudal fin

trawlers. Most such incidental captures

trawler FRV Hai Kung from northeast of Cape Naturaliste in Western Australia on 23 April 1981.^[2]

bottom-dwelling ray has been reported from the shore to a depth of 115 m (377 ft) on the continental shelf, and seems to be most common in offshore waters 20–35 m (66–115 ft) deep. It favors sandy flats and seagrass beds.^[1][4] There is no evidence of segregation by age or sex, or of seasonal migrations.^[3]

pectoral fin disc of the masked stingaree is approximately as long as wide, and has a rounded shape. The anterior margins of the disc are nearly straight and converge at an obtuse angle on the fleshy, non-protruding snout. The eyes are modestly sized and immediately followed by comma-shaped spiracles with angular posterior rims. The outer margin of each nostril is enlarged into a broad, flattened lobe. Between the nostrils is a skirt-shaped curtain of skin with a fringed trailing margin, that conceals the small mouth. The lower jaw bears a patch of subtle papillae (nipple-shaped structures); there are also 3–4 papillae on the floor of the month.^[4] The small teeth have roughly oval bases. The five pairs of gill slits are short.^[5]

dermal denticles. The masked stingaree has an ochre to gray dorsal coloration with two large, distinctive dark blotches, one forming a "mask" around the eyes and the other at the center of the disc; these blotches may be connected by thin lines along the midline and on either side. The underside is white, becoming darker at the fin margins. The dorsal and caudal fins are black in young rays, and fade to gray in adults.^[4] Males and females grow up to 27 cm (11 in) and 31 cm (12 in) across respectively.^[1]

amphipods, cumaceans, tanaids, and shrimp. With age polychaetes are added to the diet; sedentary polychaetes are significant to rays 13–29 cm (5.1–11.4 in) across, while errant polychaetes become progressively more important such as that the largest rays eat little else.^[3]

maximum lifespan is 10 years for males and 16 years for females.^[1][7]

Least Concern. This species would potentially benefit from the implementation of the 2004 Australian National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.^[1]