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Raspy River Stingray

6/14/2020

 
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© JJPhoto
​The Fins United Initiative is excited to share with you another #flatshark: the Raspy River Stingray (Potamotrygon scobina). Like many other freshwater stingray, many misidentifications occur but the Raspy River Stingray is especially confused with three rays: P. motoro, P. castexi and P. signata.

Like other freshwater stingrays, their patterns can present themselves in a wide range of colors within juvenile and adult specimens (and adults may present up to four completely different color patterns)! This make ID-ing even harder!

They are a medium to large-sized stingray and are considered a “moderately common endemic freshwater stingray.” Widely found in Northern Brazil (think the mid-lower Amazon basin), they have also been observed in the lower Tocantins River drainage. They have the highest fecundity (up to 16 young per litter) among the potamotrygonid rays. Sometimes these rays are taken for consumption (i.e. food) and in some regions they are caught for ornamental purposes. Like many other freshwater rays, scientists know little about their life history and population data. Reproduction and nursery areas have been observed for this species, specifically in the Marajó Bay region in Brazil.
​
Further studies are needed to not only learn more about this species, but to see how they are doing due to numerous threats they face day-to-day like habitat degradation, persecution, pollution, ornamental trade and fishery impacts. But because we know so little about them, the IUCN has assessed them as Data Deficient (DD).

WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THIS ANIMAL?

GLOSSARY

  • IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature.

SAY HELLO!

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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