| Family: |
Dasyatidae (Stingrays), subfamily: Dasyatinae |
| Max. size: |
74.5 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 12 - 65 m |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea: Central to South Eastern Atlantic: Morocco, Mauritania to Congo (Ref. 33465) to Natal, South Africa (Ref. 5578); Mediterranean Sea: the records are patchy along the northern coast of Africa, and in Aegean Sea and Levantine Basin, most likely due to misidentification with other Dasyatidae spp. (Ref. 122045 and others cited). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0. Conspicuous bright blue blotches and branching lines on a golden brown disc; snout and disc angular, and tail less than twice body length with a short upper caudal finfold, and a longer lower one falling far in front of tail tip; disc without thorns; usually one sting (Ref. 5578). Underside white, tail darker and without bands (Ref. 5578). |
| Biology: |
Close inshore, found on sandy beaches and in shallow bays (Ref. 5578), sometimes near rocky reefs (Ref. 12951). Found in deeper offshore areas during the winter season (Ref. 12951). Feeds on crabs, mantis shrimps, amphipods, worms, and fishes (Ref. 12951). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 4438. Disc width measures 30 cm. Its thorny, venomous hooks can cause painful injuries (Ref. 5377). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 04 August 2020 (A2d) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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