Pastinachus/Hypolophus sephen (Feathertail stingray)

(Forsskål, 1775)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates)  > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) > Chondrichthyes > Elasmobranchii > Batoidei >  Myliobatoidei > Dasyatidae

Pastinachus/Hypolophus sephen (Feathertail stingray) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A large dark, plain angular stingray with a long, broad based tail with a high lower caudal finfold 2 to 3 times depth of tail but not reaching tail tip. Snout and disk angular, tail less than twice body length, no upper finfold, no large thorns, and one or two long stings on tail, these farther behind tail base than most other stingrays. Has unique hexagonal, high-crowned rough teeth that may allow it to grind and crush harder prey than most other stingrays. Colour brown or black above but without distinctive markings, underside white.

Size

Possibly over 3 m TL and up to 1.8 m DW.

Range

East coast off kwaZulu; Indian Ocean and western Pacific.

Habitat

An inshore marine stingray that also occurs in large rivers far from the sea.

Biology

Little known and rare in the area, one specimen recorded, more wanted.

Human Impact

Possibly caught by sports anglers.

Text by Leonard J.V. Compagno, David A. Ebert and Malcolm J. Smale