Pelagic stingray

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Pelagic stingray
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Subclass: Elasmobranchii Order: Rajiformes Family: Dasyatidae Genus: Dasyatis Species: D. violacea
Binomial name
Dasyatis violacea

The Pelagic Stingray (Dasyatis violacea) is a type of stingray with a wide range. Unlike other stingrays this species is pelagic, meaning it is often swimming in open water rather than staying on the bottom like most rays. It's pelagic lifestyle means it has different physical characteristics than most rays, like a rounded snout and streamlined eyes which do not protrude from the body. This species also has much sharper teeth than most rays as it's diet includes bonier fishes.

Contents 1 Physical characteristics 2 Diet 3 Conservation note 4 References

[edit] Physical characteristics

This cartilaginous fish is mostly gray on top with a paler underbelly. It is diamond shaped with a rounded, stream-lined snout.

[edit] Diet

It's diet includes, small fish, squid, jellyfish, and crustaceans.

[edit] Conservation note

The Pelagic Stingray is not endangered. However they are often bycaught by fishermen or die from ingesting plastic bags, which look like their natural prey; jellyfish.

[edit] References