Underrated Chondrichthyan 2018: Marbled Whip Ray

The Fins United Initiative is excited to bring back the loved "Underrated Elasmobranch Spotlight" series through TFUI officer Jess Myers. Learn about the Chondrichthyans not shown on the big screen through her beautiful artwork and knowledge!

​Last year, the Rosette River Ray (Potamotrgon schroederi) was featured for its ability to live in freshwater. Back again is another member of the genus Potamotrygon, the marbled whip ray (Fluvitrygon oxyrhynchus). 

These rays live within only four rivers between Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia. Having a small range already, these rays are also threatened by river pollution from surrounding industries like logging, agriculture, and engineering projects. Seeing these beautiful creatures is an incredibly rare sight – so much so that scientists know very little about their life history traits (growth, breeding, and feeding habits). There are only five specimens within museums, two of which came from aquarium collections.
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A project to breed these rays in captivity was started in the 1990’s, but has seen been put on hold, leaving the species endangered on the IUCN Red List. 
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WHAT UNDERRATED CHONDRICHTHYAN DO YOU THINK SHARK WEEK SHOULD SHOWCASE?
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