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Stingray

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For other uses, see Stingray (disambiguation).

Stingrays
Bluespotted ribbontail ray, Taeniura lymma
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Rajiformes
Family: Dasyatidae
Genera

Dasyatis
Himantura
Pastinachus
Pteroplatytrygon
Taeniura
Urogymnus
See text for species.

Dasyatidae is a family of rays, cartilaginous marine fishes.

Dasyatids are common in tropical coastal waters throughout the world, and there are fresh water species in Asia (Himantura sp.), Africa, and Florida (Dasyatis sabina). Most dasyatids are neither threatened nor endangered. 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 pectoral wings (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 toxic venom. This gives them their common name of stingrays, but that name can also be used to refer to any poisonous ray.

Like other rays, dasyatids are viviparous (bearing live young in "litters" of 5–10).

Feeding habits

Underside of freshwater ray showing mouth

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 shark. They feed primarily on molluscs and crustaceans or occasionally on small fish, and their mouths contain powerful, shell-crushing teeth. Rays settle on the bottom while feeding, sometimes leaving only the 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 tail is mechanically whipped up. This attack is normally ineffective against their main predator: sharks. Humans are usually stung in the foot; it is also possible, although less likely, to be stung by brushing against the stinger. Contact with the stinger causes local trauma (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: poisoning, punctures, severed arteries and possible death. Fatal stings, such as that which killed Australian naturalist and television personality Steve Irwin, are extremely rare (as of 1996, worldwide known deaths from stingray barb injuries numbered 17), but can occur if a stinger punctures the heart or chest, causing complications due to both the sting's location and the poison in the barbs.

Treatment for stings includes hot water (as hot as the victim can stand), which helps ease pain and break down the venom, and antibiotics. Other possible pain remedies include papain (papaya extract, contained in unseasoned powdered meat tenderizer), which may break down the protein of the toxins, though this may be more appropriate for jellyfish and similar stings. Folklore incorrectly holds that one should urinate on the stung area; in actuality, urine and vinegar are not effective treatments. Pain normally lasts up to 48 hours but is most severe in the first 30–60 minutes and may be accompanied by nausea, fatigue, headaches, fever and chills.

Stingrays are a large part of the Melbourne Aquarium

As food

Rays may be caught on a fishing line using small crabs 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, the stingray's capacity to damage shellfishing grounds can lead to bounties placed on their removal.

Stingray recipes 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.

^^ MAYBE YOU CAN EXPLAIN THAT TO STEVE IRWINS FAMILY BITCH

Species

There are about seventy species in six genera:

Stingray City in Grand Cayman allows swimmers, snorkelers, and divers to swim and feed stingrays.

References

  1. "Stingray City - About Stingrays". Caribbean Magazine.
  2. "'Crocodile hunter' Steve Irwin killed by a stingray". The Guardian. September 4, 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. Surf Life Saving Australia (September 4, 2006). "Information on Stingrays". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. Last, Manjaji-Matsumoto & Kailola (2006). "Himantura hortlei n. sp., a new species of whipray (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) from Irian Jaya, Indonesia" (PDF). Zootaxa. 1239: 19–34.
  5. Last, Manjaji & Yearsley (2005). "Pastinachus solocirostris sp. nov., a new species of Stingray (Elasmobranchii: Myliobatiformes) from the Indo-Malay Archipelago" (PDF). Zootaxa. 1040: 1–16.

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