Round ribbontail ray  (Taeniura meyeni)

Classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List (1).

As with most rays, the body of this large stingray is flattened and disc-shaped, with the pectoral fins broadly expanded and joined to the head and body. The tail is distinctly demarcated from the disc-like body, relatively narrow, and about as long as the body length. The round ribbontail ray has a circular-shaped disc that has a mottled pattern of black, grey and white spots and blotches on its upper surface, while the tail is uniformly black behind the sting (3) (4). The underside is pale, while the edges of the body disc and under-surface of the tail are a greyish-brown to black (3). A deep and prominent skin fold runs along the underside of the tail (2) (4).

Found throughout the East and West Pacific, Red Sea and Indian Ocean (5). Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to southern Japan, Micronesia, tropical Australia and Lord Howe Island (2). Eastern Pacific: known only from oceanic islands (Cocos and the Galapagos), where the species is very common, but individuals may also colonise waters around the Central America mainland (2) (5).

Occurs in a range of habitats, from shallow lagoons to outer reef slopes, to depths of 500 m (2).

The round ribbontail ray feeds on bottom-dwelling fish, crabs and shrimp (2); the positioning of the mouth on the underside of the body is perfect for scooping up animals hiding in the sand.

These rays can be found singly or in aggregations (2). Reproduction is ovoviviparous, with up to seven live young being born per litter (6).

The round ribbontail ray is reportedly caught by trawl nets, gill nets and hook lines in Malaysia (3), although it may also be affected by fisheries elsewhere. Additionally, the ray is sought by surf and ski boat anglers in southern Africa, but is usually released unharmed (2).

There are currently no conservation measures targeting this species. The ray is found in various protected areas, however, such as Lord Howe Island Marine Park (7). The longevity record for a specimen in an aquarium is 81 days, suggesting that captive breeding is not a viable option in efforts to increase numbers of this animal (2).

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/

• 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.

1. IUCN Red List (April, 2006)
   http://www.redlist.org
2. FishBase (April, 2006)
   http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=6482&genusname=Taeniura&speciesname=meyeni
3. Marine Fishery Resources Development and Management Department (MFRDMD) (April, 2006)
   http://www.mfrdmd.org.my/sumber/ray/Taeniura_meyeni.htm
4. Marine Themes (April, 2006)
   http://www.marinethemes.com/blotchedray.html
5. Elasmodiver (April, 2006)
   http://www.elasmodiver.com/Marbled%20ribbontail%20ray.htm
6. MarineBio.org (April, 2006)
   http://www.marinebio.com/species.asp?id=59
7. Australian Government: Department of Environment and Heritage (April, 2006)
   http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/research/marine-surveys/lord-howe-island/executive-summary.html