deep oceanic trenches, miles below the surface.
RAYS AND RELATIVES
Rays and their relatives are classified in the Order Rajiformes. Both sharks and rays are characterised by a cartilagenous skeleton. Other typical features of rays include a greatly flattened body that is often disc-shaped, and the presence of five, ventrally located gill openings. Most species bear their young alive except the Rajidae, which deposit egg cases. Many rays have venomous spikes or spines on the tail base that are capable of inflicting painful wounds. The members of the family Torpedinidae possess powerful electric organs situated in the head region. Rays dwell in a variety of habitats, ranging from oceanic depths to shallow reefs, estuaries, and even freshwater streams. They range in size from about 30-40 cm disc-width (some skates) to more than 4 m (manta rays).
PLATE 5: RAYS AND GHOST SHARKS
1 BLACK STINGRAY
Dasyatis thetidis Ogilby, 1899
Inhabits coastal waters off beaches and over sand or mud bottoms to at least 300 m depth; distinguished by blue-grey to blackish colour and short tubercles on top of head and over middle of back; has a pair of spines on tail that can inflict serious wounds; temperate and subtropical Australia northward to Shark Bay in the west and Coff’s Harbour in the east; also New Zealand, and South Africa; to 180 cm disc width, 400 cm total length and 65 kg. (DASYATIDAE)
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2 COWTAIL STINGRAY
Pastinachus sephen (Forsskål, 1775)
Inhabits flat sand or mud bottoms near shore, also common in brackish mangrove estuaries and in the lower reaches of rivers; distinguished by grey-brown to blackish colour and broad flap of skin on lower edge of tail, large specimens may have tubercles on back similar to 1 above; has 2 dangerous spines on tail; found throughout the region; Indo-W. Pacific to 180 cm disc width. (DASYATIDAE)
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3 BLACK-BLOTCHED STINGRAY
Taeniura meyeni Muller & Henle, 1841
Inhabits sandy bottoms in the vicinity of coral reefs; distinguished by round shape and dense pattern of black spots; has pair of dangerous spines on tail; found throughout the region; Indo-W. Pacific; to 180cm disc width and 330 cm total length. (DASYATIDAE)
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4 BLUE-SPOTTED FAN TAIL STINGRAY
Taeniura Iymma (Forsskål, 1775)
Inhabits flat sand bottoms in the vicinity of coral reefs; distinguished by kite shape and pattern of bright blue spots; has 1-2 dangerous spines on tail; found throughout the region; Indo-W. Pacific; to at least 30 cm disc width and 70 cm total length. (DASYATIDAE)
5 BLACK-SPOTTED STINGRAY
Himantura toshi Whitley, 1939
Inhabits sandy beaches, sand flats near reefs, or shallow mangrove estuaries; distinguished by very long, whip-like tail and pattern of small black spots; has pair of dangerous spine on tail (sometimes missing); N. Australia and S. New Guinea; to at least 70 cm disc width and 180 cm total length. (DASYATIDAE)
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6 LEOPARD WHIPRAY
Himantura undulata (Bleeker, 1852)
Inhabits sandy beaches, sand flats near reefs, or shallow mangrove estuaries; distinguished by very long, whip-like tail and leopard-like spot pattern; has dangerous spine on tail; a similar species, H. uarnak (not shown), also found throughout the region - it has a reticulate, maze-like pattern; N. Australia and S. New Guinea; to at least 70 cm disc width and 180 cm total length. (DASYATIDAE)
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7 MANTA RAY
Manta birostris (Donndorff, 1798)
Inhabits coastal waters and the vicinity of offshore reefs; distinguished by large size, pair of protruding flaps at front of head, and short tail; one of the largest of all fishes, it is a harmless plankton feeder well known for its ability to make spectacular leaps above the water surface; found throughout the region; worldwide circumtropical; to 670 cm disc width and over 2 tons in weight. (MOBULIDAE)
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8 PATCHWORK STINGAREE
Urolophus flavomosaicus Last & Gomon, 1987
Inhabits coastal waters on flat sand bottoms; similar to 3 and 4 on previous page, but has ornate pattern of white spots and reticulated white and brown lines; found throughout the region; central W. Australia and southern half of Queensland; to 60 cm. (DASYATIDAE)
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9 RAT-TAILED RAY
Gymnura australis (Ramsay & Ogilby, 1886)
Inhabits shallow coastal waters; distinguished by broad triangular “wings” and very short rat-like tail; also known as Butterfly Ray; northern half of Australia and S. New Guinea; to at least 80 cm disc width. (GYMNURIDAE)
10 BARBLESS EAGLE RAY
Aetomyleus nichofii (Schneider, 1801)
Inhabits coastal waters in the vicinity of reefs; distinguished by bulging head and protruding snout similar to 11 below, but lacks white spots and has pale blue cross bands on back; found throughout the region; C. and E. Indian Ocean to W. Pacific; to 58 cm disc width and about 100 cm total length. (MYLIOBATIDAE)
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11 SPOTTED EAGLE RAY
Aetobatus narinari (Euphrasen, 1790)
Inhabits coastal waters in the vicinity of reefs; similar to 10 above, but has white spots on back and 2-6 barbed spines on base of tail; found throughout the region; worldwide circumtropical; to at least 300 cm disc width and total length of 880 cm. (MYLIOBATIDAE)
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12 BLACKFIN GHOST SHARK
Hydrolagus lemures (Whitley, 1939)
Inhabits deeper offshore waters of continental shelf in 200-500 m depth; distinguished by ‘rodent-like’ head with small mouth below eye, large pectoral fins, long tapering tail; several similar species found in region, but lack dark edge on first dorsal fin; widespread along most of the Australian continental shelf; to 30 cm. (CHIMAERIDAE)
BEWARE OF SPINES!
Many of the rays illustrated on Plates 4 and 5 are characterised by one or more venomous spines on the tail. Stings inflicted by these spines are extremely painful and fatalities have occurred when either heart, abdomen, or lungs were badly perforated. Caution should be exercised when wading on sandy bottoms. It is advisable to use a walking stick to probe just ahead or at least walk with a shuffling gait rather than in normal strides.
