Classification / Names Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa

Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) > Myliobatiformes (Stingrays) > Dasyatidae (Stingrays)
Etymology: Taeniurops: From feminine Latin noun, 'taenia' = ribbon or band, ancient Greek 'oura' = tail, referring to fin fold underneath tail and Greek 'ops' = appearance; originally proposed as a subgenus of Taeniura (Richard Bajol, pers. Comm. 06/16)..; meyeni: Named for Franz Julius Ferdinand Meyen (1804-1840), physician and botanist (R. Bajol, pers.comm. 06/16).. More on author: Müller, Henle.

Environment / Climate / Range Ecology

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 500 m (Ref. 37816), usually 20 - 60 m (Ref. 30573). Tropical, preferred ?; 41°N - 36°S, 25°E - 77°W

Distribution Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Point map | Introductions | Faunafri

Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf (Ref. 68964), Red Sea and East Africa to southern Japan, Micronesia, tropical Australia and Lord Howe Island. Eastern Pacific: known only from oceanic islands (Cocos and the Galapagos) but because of sheer number, individuals may colonize the Central America mainland (Ref. 28023). More widely known as Taeniura melanospila Bleeker 1853, a junior synonym based on the description of a juvenile specimen.

Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age

Maturity: L_m ?, range 100 - 110 cm
Max length : 330 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 30573); max. published weight: 150.0 kg (Ref. 11228)

Short description Morphology | Morphometrics

A large stingray with a circular disc, no thorns, a black and white mottled upper surface, and a deep and prominent ventral skin fold that extends to the tail tip (Ref. 6871).

Occurs in a wide range of habitats, from shallow lagoons to outer reef slopes (Ref. 1602). Feeds on bottom fish, bivalves, crabs and shrimp (Ref. 5578). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Smallest free-swimming specimen recorded was 33 cm WD. Caught commonly by demersal tangle net fisheries, and occasionally by longline and bottom trawl fisheries. Utilized for its meat and cartilage (Ref.58048). Found singly or in aggregates and usually with jacks and cobia swimming near them (Ref. 12951). Not normally aggressive, but it has been responsible for at least one human fatality. Sought by surf and ski boat anglers in southern Africa, but usually released unharmed (Ref. 5578). Longevity record for a specimen in an aquarium is 81 days (Ref. 12951). May reach disc width in excess of 3 m (Ref. 28023).

Life cycle and mating behavior Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae

Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, fat or protein through specialised structures (Ref. 50449). Distinct pairing with embrace (Ref. 205). With up to 7 in a litter (Ref. 6871, 12951).

Main reference Upload your references | References | Coordinator : McEachran, John | Collaborators

Last, P.R. and J.D. Stevens, 1994. Sharks and rays of Australia. CSIRO, Australia. 513 p. (Ref. 6871)

IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)

Vulnerable (VU) (A2d)

CITES (Ref. 94142)

Not Evaluated

Threat to humans

Venomous (Ref. 6871)

Human uses

Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes

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Estimates of some properties based on models

Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82805): PD₅₀ = 1.0000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].

Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01047 (0.00430 - 0.02548), b=3.04 (2.83 - 3.25), in cm Total Length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref. 93245).

Trophic Level (Ref. 69278): 4.2 ±0.69 se; Based on food items.

Resilience (Ref. 69278): Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Fec=7).

Vulnerability (Ref. 59153): Very high vulnerability (77 of 100) .

Price category (Ref. 80766): Low.

Taeniurops meyeni (Müller & Henle, 1841)