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Branco River Stingray

11/10/2019

 
Introducing a #flatshark only known from the Rio Branco system in the Amazon Basin in Roraima, Brazil. Specifically, you can only see the Branco River Stingray (Potamotrygon adamastor) from Rio Urariquera, a large right-bank tributary of Rio Branco.
Picture
Potamotrygon adamastor. © 2007 Fernando P.L. Marques.
River stingrays or freshwater stingrays like the Branco River Stingray are in the family Potamotrygonidae, in the order Myliobatiformes. A benthopelagic animal that inhabits these tropical waters, very little is known about them. Their disc width (DW) is about 450-615 mm, and they are a brown-black color with yellow spots scattered about. Around the disc is a reddish color, and their stumpy tail is infamous. Why? Well, first… their name…

You may be thinking to yourself, “Adamastor. That sounds familiar…” and it should. The epithet ‘adamastor’ is an adaptation of the Greek 'Adamastos', which means untamed. This stingray is named after one of those giants in Greek mythology who opposed Zeus and Thetis. Adamastor was banished to Earth and became a raging storm over the Cape of Storms, labelled as untamed… but how can a stingray be untamed? Well, like the giant apparently this stingray is very strong and violent when caught, with a stinger that can pierce even the toughest of plastic.

​The IUCN has not assessed these animals.

​WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THIS ANIMAL?

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    Author

    TFUI Founder Melissa C. Marquez is author of all animal bios and "Behind the Fins" segments.
    ​
    A proud #LatinainSTEM, Marquez is a marine biologist who focuses on shark habitat use and movements; she is also a science communicator (follow her on Twitter) who focuses on diverse Chondrichthyan education and who focuses on the media coverage of sharks.
    You can learn more about her on her website.

    SEE MELISSA'S TEDx TALK HERE:

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  • About TFUI
    • TFUI Origins >
      • About TFUI Founder Melissa
      • TFUI Officers
    • Take a Bite
    • Get Involved
    • FAQ
  • Bite Blog
  • Education
    • The Sharks >
      • Shark Anatomy
    • The Skates & Rays
    • The Chimaeras
    • Why Environments Matter
    • The Threats
    • Open Access >
      • Behind the Fins: Interview series
      • Bite into Research
      • Shark Bites: Book Recommendations
      • Sustainable Seafood Apps
  • Fins United
    • Shark Party Ideas
    • Little Fins Nursery
    • Big Fins Reef
  • Contact