Fig 1
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Division : BATOMORPHI
Species : more than 600 globally.
Rays are cartilaginous
fishes (division Batomorphi) closely related to sharks
(division Selachii). Globally more than 600 species of ray are recognised.
Indonesia is known to support nearly 100 species of ray in its shallow and
deep marine waters (Fahmi, 2010).
Rays are typically grouped into four orders: Myliobatiformes (stingrays),
Rajiformes (skates), Torpediniformes (electric rays) and Rhinopristiformes
(shovelnose rays).
Taeniura lymma (Blue-spotted Ribbontail Stingray) is one of the most
frequently encountered in Southeast Asia waters (Fig 1). This small,
distinctive stingray occurs in coral reef habitats and reaches around 35 cm
in width.
Aetobatus narinari (Spotted Eagle Ray) occurs in tropical marine
waters worldwide (Fig 2). Populations in Southeast Asia are now commonly
referred to as Aetobatus ocellatus (Ocellated Eagle Ray). This large ray can
reach widths ('wingspan') of up to 3 metres. They are known to sometimes
leap high out of the water.
With a wingspan reaching up to 7 metres across, Mobula birostris
(Giant Manta Ray) is the largest of all ray species (Fig 4). This fast, ocean-going
filter feeder may be encountered in many parts of Southeast Asia,
particularly where upwellings bring plankton to the surface.
Globally, and within Southeast Asia, populations of many rays are threatened
by over-fishing.
Fig 1 : Blue-spotted Ribbontail Stingray (Myliobatiformes,
Taeniura lymma)
from Walindi, New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
Fig 2 : Spotted Eagle Ray (Myliobatiformes, Aetobatus narinari) in warm, clear,
tropical water. Photo thanks to Nicholas Lindell Reynolds.
Fig 3 : The coastline of Krabi, southern Thailand, an area known to support
manta rays of various species particularly at Hin Daeng and Hin Muang.
Fig 4 : Giant Manta Ray (Myliobatiformes, Mobula birostris) from Thailand. Photo
thanks to Jon Hanson.
Fig 5 : The islands that lie between Komodo and Flores (Labuanbajo) in
Indonesia are surrounded by habitats rich in marine life; the Giant Manta Ray
frequently visits these waters.
References :
Fahmi, (2010). Sharks And Rays In Indonesia. Mar. Res. Indonesia Vol.35,
No.1, 2010: 43-54
Wikipedia Links :
- Rays
-
Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray
- Spotted Eagle
Ray
- Giant
Manta Ray
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