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THE BASTARDS KILLED STEVE IRWIN!!!!
{{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 ] to the freshwaters of ].

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.

==Aggression==
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. This attack is normally ineffective against their main ], ]s. Humans are usually stung in the ]; 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. Fatal ray stings, such as that which killed ] environmentalist ] (although he was not killed by the sting itself but from a puncture to the heart in turn causing cardiac arrest), are rare but can occur if stings are improperly treated, sever major ], or are in the ] region or chest.<ref name="Steve Irwin"> ''The Guardian''. September 4, 2006.</ref>

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 body, 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. Stingrays do not have much market value, and they can damage shellfishing grounds.

Stingray 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 ==
]

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 ] 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 called ] 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.

Similarly, visitors may use two fingers at a time to touch rays (with sting removed) and related ] in outdoor exhibits at the ] in ].

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

In 2006, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays added a 35 foot, 10000 gallon, touch tank in their stadium where fans get a chance to interact with dozens of rays.

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.

Stingrays are usually very docile creatures and very rarely attack humans.
]

== 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>.
[[Image:Stingray Ctiy, Grand Cayman-2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Stingray City in
] allows swimmers, snorkelers, and divers to swim and feed stingrays.]]
* 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}}
<div class="references-small">
<references/>
</div>

==External link==
* – Information on stingray poison.

]
]

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Revision as of 11:41, 4 September 2006

THE BASTARDS KILLED STEVE IRWIN!!!!