Sunday 19 May
Javanese cownose ray (Rhinoptera javanica)
Javanese cownose ray fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
- Print factsheet
Javanese cownose ray description
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Chondrichthyes |
| Order | Rajiformes |
| Family | Rhinopteridae |
| Genus | Rhinoptera (1) |
Cownose rays (Rhinoptera) have earned their common name for their unusual-looking heads, which feature a double-lobed snout and indented forehead (2). As with most rays, the body is flattened, with the pectoral fins broadly expanded and fused with the head and trunk to form a disc (3). This smooth-skinned species is characterised by a kite-shaped body-disc, which is brown on the upper surface and white below (2) (3). The long, thin, whip-like tails of cownose rays (Rhinoptera) are distinctly demarcated from the body and armed with one or more stings.
- French
- Mourine Javanaise.
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Javanese cownose ray biology
This species is sometimes found in extremely large groups, with schools of up to 500 rays having been reported (2) (3). Feeding on a diet of clams, oysters and crustaceans (2), the ray uses its large plate-like teeth to crush the shells of its prey (3). Reproduction is ovoviviparous, with live young being ‘born’ after they have hatched inside the female (2).
TopJavanese cownose ray range
Ranging across the Indo-West Pacific, from Durban, South Africa, north possibly to India, Thailand, Indonesia, and southern China. Also in Okinawa, Ryukyu Island and possibly Australia (2).
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Species with a similar range
See this species on Google Earth.
TopJavanese cownose ray habitat
A benthic species found over sand and mud bottoms of inshore coastal waters, in bays, estuaries and near coral reefs (2) (3).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Javanese cownose ray status
Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Javanese cownose ray threats
Cownose rays (Rhinoptera) are fished for food, but not generally taken in large numbers. Of only minor importance to fisheries, they are still caught incidentally in hook-and-line and trawling operations (3). However, the true impact fisheries are having on Javanese cownose ray populations is unknown.
TopJavanese cownose ray conservation
There are currently no conservation measures targeting this species.
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View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre. |
Find out more
For further information on the conservation of sharks and rays see:
- Save Our Seas Foundation:
http://www.saveourseas.com - Project Aware:
http://www.projectaware.org/
Authentication
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact: arkive@wildscreen.org.ukTopGlossary
- Benthic
- Living on the lowermost region of a marine habitat, the bottom.
- Ovovivipary
- Method of reproduction whereby the egg shell is weakly formed and young hatch inside the female; they are nourished by their yolk sac and then ‘born’ live.
- Pectoral fins
- In fish, the pair of fins that are found one on each side of the body just behind the gills. They are generally used for balancing and braking.
References
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (April, 2006)
http://www.redlist.org - FishBase (April, 2006)
http://www.fishbase.org - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) (April, 2006)
http://www.fao.org/docrep/T0726E/t0726e0f.htm
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Image credit
Close up of a Javanese cownose ray
© Jeff Rotman / naturepl.com
Nature Picture Library
5a Great George Street
Bristol
BS1 5RR
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 117 911 4675
Fax: +44 (0) 117 911 4699
info@naturepl.com
http://www.naturepl.com
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