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{{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, related to ]s and ].

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 ] is a razor-sharp, barbed or serrated cartilaginous spine which grows from the ray's whip-like tail (like a fingernail), and can grow as long as 37 cm. On the underside of the spine are two grooves containing ] secreting glandular tissue. The entire spine is covered with a thin layer of skin called the integumentary sheath; venom is concentrated in this integumentary sheath.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Meyer P | title = Stingray injuries | journal = Wilderness Environ Med | volume = 8 | issue = 1 | pages = 24-8 | year = 1997 | id = PMID 11990133}}</ref> This gives them their common name of '''stingrays''', but the name can also be used to refer to any poisonous ray.

Some adult rays may be no larger than a human palm, while other species, like the ], may have a body of six feet in diameter, and an overall length, including their tail, of fourteen feet. Like other rays, dasyatids are ], bearing live young in "litters" of five to ten.

==Feeding habits==
]
Since their eyes are on top of their body and their mouths on the bottom, stingrays cannot see their prey. Instead, they use the sense of smell and electro-receptors, similar to those of the ]. They feed primarily on ]s and ]s and occasionally on small fish. Their mouths contain powerful, shell-crushing teeth. Rays settle on the bottom while feeding, sometimes leaving only their eyes and tail visible.

==Aggression==
Dasyatids generally 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 ], ].<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/articles/Cayman_Islands/Stingray_city___diving___snorkeling_grand_cayman.html
|title = Stingray City - About Stingrays
|publisher = Caribbean Magazine}}</ref>
Humans are usually stung in the ]; it is also possible, although less likely, to be stung by brushing against the stinger. The stinger may break off, which is non-fatal to the stingray, and will be regrown. 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. Injuries to humans include, but are not limited to: ], punctures, severed ] and possible death. Fatal stings, such as that which killed ] naturalist and ] ] in 2006<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/australia/story/0,,1864423,00.html
|title = 'Crocodile hunter' Steve Irwin killed by a stingray
|publisher = ]
|date = ], ]}}</ref>, are extremely rare. As of 1996, worldwide known deaths from stingray barb injuries numbered 17.<ref>{{cite web
|title = Information on Stingrays
|url = http://www.slsa.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsarticle&id=413
|author = ]
|date = ], ]}}</ref>

Treatment for stings includes application of near-scalding water, which helps ease pain by denaturing the complex venom protein, and ]s. Immediate injection of local anaesthetic in and around the wound is very helpful, as is the use of adjunct opiates such as intramuscular pethidine. Local anaesthetic brings almost instant relief for several hours. Other possible pain remedies include ] (] extract, contained in unseasoned powdered meat tenderizer), which may break down the protein of the toxins, although this may be more appropriate for ] and similar stings. Folklore incorrectly holds that one should urinate on the stung area; in actuality, urine and vinegar are not effective treatments.<ref></ref> Pain normally lasts up to 48 hours, but is most severe in the first 30&ndash;60 minutes and may be accompanied by ], ], ]s, ] and chills. All stingray injuries should be medically assessed; the wound needs to be thoroughly cleaned and often ] exploration is required to remove any barb fragments remaining in the wound. Following cleaning a ] is helpful to confirm removal of all the fragments.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Flint D, Sugrue W | title = Stingray injuries: a lesson in debridement | journal = N Z Med J | volume = 112 | issue = 1086 | pages = 137-8 | year = 1999 | id = PMID 10340692}}</ref>

]

== 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. Whilst not independently valuable as a food source, the stingray's capacity to damage shellfishing grounds can lead to bounties being placed on their removal.

Stingray abound throughout the world, with dried forms of the wings being most common. Generally, the most prized parts of the stingray are the wings, 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 ==
Stingrays are usually very docile creatures. The customary reaction of the stingray is to immediately flee the vicinity where a disturbance is located. Nevertheless, certain larger species are located in waters where they are easily excitable due to possible attacks from feeding sharks and should be approached with caution, as the stingray's defensive reflex and effort to flee may result in human contact with the stinger, resulting in serious injury or even (though rarely), death.

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.

In the ], there are several 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.

In ] off the island of ] there is a popular marine sanctuary called ]. Here divers and snorkelers often gather to watch stingrays and ] who are drawn to the area by tour operators who feed the animals.

Most major aquariums feature stingrays, including the National ] and the ] in Chattanooga. Where there are stingray touch tanks where visitors can "pet" rays or when show divers routinely hand feed rays in giant saltwater exhibits, for diver and visitor safety the barbs on the rays are snipped off with a pair of pliers. The tip of the barb is then presented as a harmless stub that can't penetrate the skin of visitors or divers who routinely handle the docile rays.

The ] Hotel houses many eagle rays, sting rays and one ]. The rays are often coexhibited with other marine life, such as the ]. The ] allows petting of southern stingrays in their "Georgia Explorer" exhibit. Similarly, visitors may use two fingers at a time to touch rays (with sting removed) and related ] in outdoor exhibits at the ] in ]. Petting stingrays is also permitted in a special tank at the ], ], ]. Likewise, the ] in ], ], allows visitors to pet a variety of rays in a controlled tank setting. ] Marine Park in St. Thomas, USVI, even allows supervised feeding of southern stingrays by visitors.

In 2006, the ] 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 ] coast in northern ]. One ray has been known to be so friendly it tried to expose its entire ventral surface, ending up toppling over backward. {{cn}}

== Species ==

], ].]]

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

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>.
** ] or ], '']'' <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==
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See http://en.wikipedia.org/Wikipedia:Footnotes for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the <ref> and </ref> tags, and the template below.
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==Bibliography==
* {{FishBase family | family = Dasyatidae | month = August | year = 2005}}

==External link==
{{commons|Category:Dasyatidae|Stingrays}}
* – Information on stingray poison.

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Revision as of 10:50, 8 September 2006

Removed: Message was fairly offensive.