Sunday 19 May
Spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari)
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Find out here.Spotted eagle ray fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
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Spotted eagle ray description
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Chondrichthyes |
| Order | Rajiformes |
| Family | Myliobatidae |
| Genus | Aetobatus (1) |
The spotted eagle ray is very distinctive with a flattened body and triangular corners to the wing-like pectoral fins (2). The snout is rounded and pointed at the tip, so that it resembles a bird’s beak. The tail is long and whip-like and bears 2 – 6 spines (3). These eagle rays possess highly attractive colouring; the uppersurface is blackish-blue with many white spots, whilst the underside is white (2).
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Spotted eagle ray biology
Large groups of spotted eagle rays may be seen outside of the breeding season. These rays swim close to the surface and can occasionally be seen jumping clear out of the water (known as ‘breaching’). Females give birth to around 4 live young (2).
Spotted eagle rays have heavy dental plates which they use to crush their hard-shelled prey (4); they feed predominantly on bivalve shellfish (2).
TopSpotted eagle ray range
Although the spotted eagle ray is found throughout the world’s tropical oceans, current research indicates that there are several different forms of this ray that likely constitute a number of distinct species (1) (4).
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Species with a similar range
See this species on Google Earth.
TopSpotted eagle ray habitat
The spotted eagle ray is found in coastal waters in shallow bays and coral reefs, it has been recorded from a range of depths from 1 – 80 metres (2).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Spotted eagle ray status
Classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Spotted eagle ray threats
Little data is available on spotted eagle ray populations. However, this species is accidentally caught as bycatch in non-target fisheries over much of its range (1).
TopSpotted eagle ray conservation
Further research into population densities and distribution is needed before the precise threats to this species can be assessed and the appropriate conservation action adopted (1).
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View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre. |
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Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. |
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
- Bycatch
- In the fishing industry, the part of the catch made up of non-target species.
- 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 (May, 2006)
http://www.redlist.org - FishBase (September, 2003)
http://www.fishbase.org/home.htm - Australia Museum (September, 2003)
http://www.amonline.net.au/fishes/fishfacts/fish/anarinari.htm - MarineBio (August, 2009)
http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=58
More »Related species
This species is featured in:
This species is featured in Jewels of the UAE, which showcases biodiversity found in the United Arab Emirates in association with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.
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Image credit
Spotted eagle ray, ventral view
© Doug Perrine / 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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