Porcupine ray
| Porcupine ray | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Superorder: | Batoidea |
| Order: | Myliobatiformes |
| Family: | Dasyatidae |
| Genus: | Urogymnus |
| Species: | U. asperrimus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Urogymnus asperrimus (
J. G. Schneider , 1801) | |
| |
| Range of the porcupine ray[2] | |
| Synonyms | |
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The porcupine ray (Urogymnus asperrimus) is a rare
pectoral fin disc and a thin tail without any fin folds. Uniquely within its family, it lacks a venomous
stinging spine. However, an adult ray can still defend itself ably with the many large, sharp thorns found over its disc and tail.
The diet of the porcupine ray consists mainly of
fisheries. Because it must be handled carefully due to its thorns, its commercial significance is limited. Unregulated fishing has led to this species declining in many parts of its range, thus it has been listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
.
Taxonomy
German naturalists
Johann Gottlob Schneider described the porcupine ray in their 1801 work Systema Ichthyologiae, based on a partial dried skin obtained from Mumbai, India. They placed it in the genus Raja and named it asperrima, meaning "roughest" in Latin. In the same work, they also described a West African form, Raja africana.[3] Later authors have regarded the two as synonymous. However, since the two names were published simultaneously, uncertainty exists about which name has priority. Some works give the ray's specific epithet as asperrimus, and others as africanus.[4][5]
In 1837,
monotypic (only containing U. asperrimus), but several other species were moved to this genus from Himantura in 2016 based on morphology and molecular evidence.[8]
Other common names for this species include black spotted ray, rough-skinned ray, roughback stingaree, Solander's ray, and thorny ray.[9] More than one species of porcupine ray may exist, as is currently recognized.[10]
Distribution and habitat
The porcupine ray is widely distributed, but uncommon compared to other stingrays that share its range. It is found all along the continental periphery of the
Bottom-dwelling in nature, the porcupine ray is found close to shore at depths of 1–30 m (3–100 ft). It inhabits sandy flats, coral rubble, and seagrass beds, often near reefs, and also enters brackish water.[11][12]
Description
The
pectoral fin disc of the porcupine ray is evenly oval, almost as wide as long, and very thick at the center, giving it a domed appearance. The tip of the snout is rounded and barely protruding. The small eyes are closely followed by much larger spiracles. Between the narrow nostrils is a skirt-shaped curtain of skin; the posterior margin of the curtain is strongly fringed and overhangs the mouth. The mouth bears three to five papillae on the floor and prominent furrows at the corners. The area around the mouth, including the curtain, are heavily covered by more papillae.[2][13] Around 48 tooth rows are found in either jaw.[10] The teeth are small and flattened. Five pairs of gill slits are located on the underside of the disc.[14]
The
dermal denticles covers the center of the disc and extends onto the tail. Larger individuals additionally have numerous tall, sharp thorns over the entire upper surface of the disc. The porcupine ray is plain light to dark gray or brown above, darkening to blackish towards the tail tip, and white below.[9][13][14] This large species grows to at least 1.2 m (3.9 ft) across and 2.2 m (7.2 ft) long, and may reach 1.5 m (4.9 ft) across.[2][14]
Biology and ecology
The porcupine ray can sometimes be observed lying still on the bottom in the open or inside caves.histotroph ("uterine milk") secreted by the mother.[9] Mangrove forests serve as important habitat for juvenile rays.[18] Males and females mature sexually at about 90 and 100 cm (35 and 39 in) across, respectively.[2]
Human interactions
Despite not having a sting, the porcupine ray is capable of injuring humans with its many sharp thorns.
Presently, the porcupine ray is
habitat degradation from coastal development, and depletion of its food supply from overfishing. As a result, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed it as vulnerable.[25]
References
- ^ . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-674-03411-2.
- ^ Bloch, M.E.; Schneider, J.G. (1801). Systema Ichthyologiae iconibus cx illustratum. Berolini: Sumtibus auctoris impressum et Bibliopolio Sanderiano commissum. p. 367.
- ^ asperrima, Raja Archived 2012-03-19 at the Wayback Machine in: Eschmeyer, W.N.; Fricke, R., eds. Catalog of Fishes electronic version (29 March 2011).
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8248-1895-1.
- ^ Urogymnus Archived 2012-03-19 at the Wayback Machine in: Eschmeyer, W.N.; Fricke, R., eds. Catalog of Fishes electronic version (29 March 2011).
- ^ Hunter, R. (1895). Lloyd's Encyclopædic Dictionary. p. 387.
- PMID 27470808.
- ^ a b c d e f Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2011). "Urogymnus asperrimus" in FishBase. April 2011 version.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-86872-890-9.
- ISBN 978-3-925919-33-6.
- ^ ISBN 978-92-5-105045-3.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8248-1808-1.
- ^ ISBN 978-92-5-104302-8.
- S2CID 23529337.
- .
- PMID 19391329.
- ISBN 978-1-4200-8047-6.
- ISBN 978-0-930118-18-1.
- ISBN 978-0-486-40726-5.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-00-715097-7.
- ^ Sterndale, R.A.; Aitken, E.H., eds. (1887). Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, Volume 2. Bombay Natural History Society. p. 154.
- ^ Kingsley, J.S. (1888). The Riverside Natural History. Kegan Paul, Trench. p. 89.
- ^ Waite, E.R. (1900). "The Mammals, Reptiles, and Fishes of Funafuti". Memoir III – Australian Museum, Sydney – The Atolls of Funafuti, Ellice Group: Its Zoology, Botany, Ethnology, and General Structure. The Trustees. pp. 165–202.
- ISBN 978-2-8317-0700-6.
External links
- Photos of Porcupine ray on Sealife Collection
- Porcupine Ray @ Fishes of Australia