Roughtail stingray
The roughtail stingray is one of the largest species of stingrays found in the Atlantic Ocean, characterized by its distinctive rhomboid-like body, which can reach up to 87 inches (221 cm) in width and weigh as much as 660 pounds (300 kg). Its back is typically dark brown or black, while the underside is white or gray, often featuring dark spots. This stingray is notable for its long, whip-like tail, which is lined with sharp, poisonous spines that can inflict severe pain and potentially fatal injuries to both predators and humans. The roughtail stingray thrives in shallow coastal waters, using its flexible pectoral fins to glide gracefully over sandy and muddy sea floors in search of its diet, which includes fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Reproduction occurs through an ovoviviparous process, with females giving birth to live young that measure between 13.5 to 14.5 inches (34 to 37 cm) after an internal gestation period of about four months. However, the population of roughtail stingrays is declining, and they are currently classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Although the lifespan of roughtail stingrays is not well-documented, many large stingray species can live for 70 years or more. Understanding these majestic creatures is essential for their conservation and the health of marine ecosystems.
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Roughtail stingray
The roughtail stingray receives its name from the many small, sharp spines which line its tail. This is one of the largest species of stingrays.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Myliobatiformes
Family: Dasyatidae
Genus: Bathytoshia
Species: Centroura
The roughtail stingray is one of the largest stingray species in the Atlantic Ocean. It usually lives in shallow areas near the shore. Its flattened, rhomboid-like body grows to a maximum of 87 inches (221 centimeters) wide and weighs up to 660 pounds (300 kilograms). A rhomboid is like a diamond, but this stingray's body has rounded corners. The back of the roughtail is dark brown or black, and the underside is white or gray and may have dark spots. The long, whip-like tail and poisonous, sharp spine are black.
Several short, sharp thorns grow from the back of the stingray. Some of these form a row down the middle of the back, while other larger ones appear scattered on either side of the middle row. More spines grow from the tail which gives this species its name.
Like all stingrays, the roughtail has one or more sharp spines growing from the top surface of the base of its tail. These spines may be up to 16 inches (40 centimeters) long and contain poison which is very painful to any creature or person unfortunate enough to be stung as the tail whips through the air or water. Severe stings and wounds may result in death to the person or animal which is stung.
As a member of the order of cartilaginous fish, the roughtail stingray has cartilage in its body and tail in place of bones. Cartilage is the type of tissue that humans have in their ears and noses. This flexible tissue allows the stingray to flap the great wing-like, fleshy pectoral fins extending from the sides of its head. This motion moves the stingray smoothly across the sandy, muddy sea floor as it searches for fish, crustaceans, bony fish, and mollusks to eat. Its flat teeth easily crush the hard shells.
Roughail stingrays reproduce in the fall or early winter. Reproduction in roughtail stingrays is ovoviviparous. This means that two to six eggs hatch while still inside the female. The young feed on the yolk sacs from their eggs and blood vessels inside the womb for four months. They are born live measuring 13 1/2 to 14 1/2 inches (34 to 37 centimeters).
Populations of roughtail stingray are decreasing. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species lists the species as vulnerable. It is unknown how long roughtail stingrays live, but many large stingray species live for 70 years or more.
Bibliography
Brown, E., J. Pasquarella, and M. Thompson. "Dasyatis Centroura." Animal Diversity Web, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Dasyatis‗centroura. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.
"Roughtail Stingray." Florida Museum of Natural History, www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/dasyatis-centroura. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.
"Roughtail Stingray." National Aquarium, aqua.org/explore/animals/roughtail-stingray. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.