Misplaced Pages

Stingray: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 08:04, 23 August 2006 view sourceLuna Santin (talk | contribs)65,325 editsm JS: Reverted edits by 60.240.57.103 to last version by Ace-o-aces← Previous edit Revision as of 08:04, 23 August 2006 view source 60.240.57.103 (talk) →As foodNext edit →
Line 1: Line 1:
{{otheruses}}
{{Taxobox
| color = pink
| name = Stingrays
| image = Blue spotted stingray.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = ], ''Taeniura lymma''
| regnum = ]ia
| phylum = ]
| classis = ]
| ordo = ]
| familia = '''Dasyatidae'''
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision =
'']''<br/>
'']''<br/>
'']''<br/>
'']''<br/>
'']''<br/>
'']''<br/>
See text for species.
}}
'''Dasyatidae''' is a family of ], ] ] ]es.

Dasyatids are common in tropical coastal waters throughout the world, and there are ] species in ] ('']'' sp.), ], and ] ('']''). Most dasyatids are neither threatened nor ]. The species of the genera Potamotrygon, Paratrygon, and Plesiotrygon are all endemic to the freshwaters of South America.

Dasyatids swim with a "flying" motion, propelled by motion of their large ] (commonly mistaken as "fins").

Their stinger is a razor-sharp, barbed or serrated cartilaginous spine which grows from the ray's whip-like tail (like a fingernail). It is coated with a ] ]. This gives them their common name of '''stingrays''', but that name can also be used to refer to any poisonous ray.

Dasyatids do not attack aggressively, or even actively defend themselves. When threatened their primary reaction is to swim away. However, when they are attacked by predators or stepped on, the barbed stinger in their ] is mechanically whipped up, usually into the offending ]; it is also possible, although less likely, to be stung "accidentally" by brushing against the stinger. Contact with the stinger causes local ] (from the cut itself), pain and swelling from the venom, and possible infection from parts of the stinger left in the wound, as well as from seawater entering the wound. It is possible for ray stings to be fatal if they sever major ], are in the ] or ] region, or are improperly treated. Their stingers are normally ineffective against their main ], ]s.

Treatment for stings includes hot water (as hot as the victim can stand), which helps ease pain and break down the venom, and ]s. ] or ] may or may not be successful in easing pain; neither cleans the wound properly. Other possible pain remedies include ] (] extract, contained in unseasoned powdered meat tenderizer), which may break down the protein of the toxins, though this may be more appropriate for ] and similar stings. Pain normally lasts up to 48 hours but is most severe in the first 30-60 minutes and may be accompanied by ], ], ]s, ], and chills.

]

Like other rays, dasyatids are ] (bearing live young in "litters" of 5–10). Since their eyes are on top of their head, and their mouths on the bottom, they cannot see their prey, and instead use their sense of smell and electro-receptors similar to those of the shark. They feed primarily on ]s and ]s, as their mouths contain powerful, shell-crushing teeth, or occasionally on smaller fish; rays settle on the bottom while feeding, sometimes leaving only the eyes and tail visible.

== As food ==
Rays may be caught on a fishing line using small ]s as bait, and are often caught accidentally; they may also be speared from above. They are edible; small rays may be cooked similarly to other fish, typically grilled or battered and fried. While not valuable themselves, stingrays can damage shellfishing grounds.

Stingray recipes abound throughout the world, with dried forms of the fins being most common. Generally, the most prized parts of the stingray are the fins, the "cheek" (the area surrounding the eyes,) and the liver. The rest of the ray is considered too rubbery to have any culinary uses.

== Viewing ==
]
]
] allows swimmers, snorkelers, and divers to swim and feed stingrays.]]

Dasyatids are not normally visible to swimmers, but divers and snorkelers may find them in shallow sandy waters, more so when the water is unseasonably warm.

The Baltimore Aquarium has a large tank where they may be viewed from above or below; many other aquariums exhibit rays.

In the ], there are a couple of dive sites (each called "Stingray City") where divers and snorkelers can swim with large ]s (''Dasyatis americana'') and feed them by hand.

There is also a "Stingray City" in the sea surrounding the ] island of ]. It consists of a large, shallow reserve where the rays live and snorkelling is possible, as the rays there are said to be very friendly.

The ] allows petting of southern stingrays in their exhibit.

Also, the ] in Sarasota, Florida allows you to pet a variety of rays in a controlled tank setting.

Small rays and other fishes can be petted in a "tactile tank" at , a large aquarium park in ], on the English Channel coast in northern France. One ray has been known to be so friendly it tries to expose its entire ventral surface, ending up toppling over backward.

== Species ==
There are about seventy species in six genera:
* Genus '']''
** '']'' <small>Nishida & Nakaya, 1988</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(] & ], 1841)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>Hildebrand & Schroeder, 1928</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>Last, 1987</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(] & ], 1841)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Hutton, 1875)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1880)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Mitchill, 1815)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Smith, 1828)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(] & Gilbert, 1880)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>], 1908</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Stauch & Blanc, 1962)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>Boeseman, 1948</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Lindberg, 1930)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(] & ], 1801)</small>.
** '']'' <small>(DeKay, 1842)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>Nishida & Nakaya, 1988</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(] & ], 1841)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>Chu, 1960</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>Roberts & Karnasuta, 1987</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1880)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>Last, 1987</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1880)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1870)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>Compagno & Roberts, 1984</small>.
** '']'' <small>Gomes, Rosa & Gadig, 2000</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1892)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>Miyosi, 1939</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Annandale, 1908)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Tokarev, 1959)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1892)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1758)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1870)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Lesueur, 1824)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Lesueur, 1817)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1892)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>], 1899</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>Capapé, 1975</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(] & Hubbs, 1925)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(] & ], 1841)</small>.
* Genus '']''
** ], '']'' <small>(Annandale, 1909)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Blyth, 1860)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>Monkolprasit & Roberts, 1990</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>Compagno & Heemstra, 1984</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>] & Seale, 1906</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Hamilton, 1822)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1851)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Macleay, 1883)</small>.
**'']'' <small>Last, Manjaji-Matsumoto & Kailola, 2006</small>.<ref>{{cite journal | journal = Zootaxa | url = http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2006f/z01239p034f.pdf | volume = 1239 | year = 2006 | pages = 19-34 | title = Himantura hortlei n. sp., a new species of whipray (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) from Irian Jaya, Indonesia | author = Last, Manjaji-Matsumoto & Kailola}}</ref>
** ], '']'' <small>(] & ], 1801)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Annandale, 1909)</small>.
** ], '']''
** ], '']'' <small>(Chabanaud, 1923)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Blyth, 1860)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Chen, 1948)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Sauvage, 1878)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Beebe & Tee-Van, 1941)</small>.
** '']'' <small>(], 1852)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1852)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Werner, 1904)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>Compagno & Roberts, 1982</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>Whitley, 1939</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1852)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1775)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1852)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(] & ], 1841)</small>.
* Genus '']''
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1775)</small>.
**'']'' <small>Last, Manjaji & Yearsley, 2005</small>.<ref>{{cite journal | journal = Zootaxa | url = http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2005f/z01040p016f.pdf | volume = 1040 | year = 2005 | pages = 1-16 | title = Pastinachus solocirostris sp. nov., a new species of Stingray (Elasmobranchii: Myliobatiformes) from the Indo-Malay Archipelago
| author = Last, Manjaji & Yearsley}}</ref>
* Genus '']''
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1832)</small>.
* Genus '']''
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1817)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(], 1775)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>] & ], 1841</small>.
* Genus '']''
** ], '']'' <small>(] & ], 1801)</small>.
** ], '']'' <small>(Smith, 1863)</small>.

==References==
* {{FishBase family | family = Dasyatidae | month = August | year = 2005}}
<references/>

]
]

]
]
]
]
]
]

Revision as of 08:04, 23 August 2006