| Family: |
Dasyatidae (Stingrays), subfamily: Urogymninae |
| Max. size: |
183 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 19 kg |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 200 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: widespread, from South Africa to the central Pacific Islands, north to Japan (Okinawa). Frequently confused with Himantura jenkinsii (Ref. 9840). |
| Diagnosis: |
Uniformly tan to brownish pink dorsally. Inhabits lagoon and seaward sand flats from the intertidal to at least 200 m. Occurs in large aggregations (Ref. 37816). |
| Biology: |
Occurs in aggregations over soft bottoms of the inner continental shelf, often near coral reefs (Ref. 9840). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Size at birth at about 55 cm WD (Ref. 6871). Feeds on fishes, crustaceans and molluscs (Ref. 89972). Common catch of the demersal tangle net, bottom trawl and, to a lesser extend, longline fisheries. Utilized for its meat, skin (high value) and cartilage (Ref.58048). By-catch of prawn trawlers (Ref. 6871). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 22 February 2015 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
venomous |
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