Coastal stingaree
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| Urolophus orarius Last & Gomon, 1987 |
The coastal stingaree is a species of round ray that is endemic to the waters of Southern Australia. It is not often seen in the wild.
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[edit] Appearance and anatomy
As with more common rays, the body of this species is flat and disc-shaped, with pectoral fins that broadly expanded and fixed with the head and trunk. Characteristic of the round ray or stingaree family (Urolophidae), the coastal stingaree's body is circular and disc-like. As with other rays, the Coastal Stingaree has a long, particularly slender tail that is distinctly separate from the disc-like body. Most species of stingaree have one or more venomous spines approximately half way down their tail. In addition to this defensive poisonous sting, most stingarees have obscure coloration, which acts as camouflage on the oceanic floor of their habitat. The coastal stingaree is greyish-brown with dark mottling on its upper surface and paler underneath which allow it to blend it with the sandy or rocky bottom of its habitat.
[edit] Distribution and habitat
The Coastal Stingaree is restricted to the Eastern Indian Ocean in the waters of southern Australia. There, the species is known to reside from the Great Australian Bight Marine Park to the waters of western Victoria.
The Coastal Stingaree is a marine, bottom-dwelling species found in shallow coastal waters. It inhabits depths from of 20m to 50m.
[edit] Ecology
Very little is known for certain about the biology of the Coastal Stingaree due to its sparse and elusive population. However, much of what is known about the species can be assertained by recognizing what is known to be typical of the family (Urolophidae) to which the Coastal Stingaree belongs. The Coastal Stingaree often feeds on many bottom-dwelling fishes, shrimp, sea worms and other small organisms in the ocean habitat around them. There is also evidence that the Coastal Stinagaree is also able to eat hard-shelled mollusks and crustaceans.
[edit] Conservation
There are currently no conservation measures directly focusing on the Coastal Stingaree itself.
The Coastal Stingaree is not explicitely targeted by fisheries or used commercially. However, large numbers of the species are still caught as bycatch by these fisheries. The stingarees have low birth rates and slow reproductive turnover. Because of this and their restricted habitat and range, the Coastal Stingaree is particularly susceptible to the dangers of over-fishing.
The Coastal Stingaree occurs within in the Great Australian Bight Marine Park. Thus, this part of their territory exists within the Benthic Protection Zone which gives the species some small degree of protection. The Park's mission is not only to maintain the current levels of biodiversity in the area, but also to provide ecologically sustainable use of marine resources.
However, a number of fisheries and recreational fishing are still permitted to operate in certain areas of the park and Benthic Protection Zone. Exploration and drilling for petroleum has commenced since 2003 and further exploration activities are expected in the future. Despite the park's numerous efforts, these activities may yet threaten the coastal stingaree population further.
[edit] References
- IUCN 2007. 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 November 2007.
