New Ireland stingaree
Encyclopedia
The New Ireland stingaree (Urolophus armatus) is a species
of stingray
in the family
Urolophidae, known only from a single juvenile male 17.4 cm (6.9 in) long, collected in the Bismarck Archipelago
. This species has an oval pectoral fin disc with tiny eyes and a rectangular curtain of skin between the nostrils. Its tail is fairly long and terminates in a leaf-shaped caudal fin, and lacks a dorsal fin
. Uniquely among stingarees, it has rows of sharp spinules on the posterior portion of its back and the base of its tail. Its dorsal coloration is brown with dark spots. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed this ray as Data Deficient
, pending more information.
La Coquille. It was first referenced as Urolophus armatus by Achille Valenciennes
, and furnished with a description by Johannes Müller
and Jakob Henle
(who are thus considered the species authorities) in their 1838–41 Systematische Beschreibung der Plagiostomen. Its specific epithet means "armed" in Latin
, referring to its denticles. Black-spotted stingaree is another common name
for this species. It may warrant being placed in a new genus
.
in the Bismarck Archipelago
, northeast of Papua New Guinea
, though the depth and habitat
was not recorded. No other specimens have been found since, suggesting that it occurs only in a very restricted geographic and depth range.
(Plesiobatis daviesi). Its pectoral fin disc is oval in shape and wider than long, with evenly rounded outer margins. The leading margins of the disc become slightly concave as they converge on the protruding, pointed snout. The eyes are tiny and immediately followed by slightly larger spiracle
s. The nostrils are short and oval, with a nearly rectangular curtain of skin between them; the posterior margin of the nasal curtain is minutely fringed. The small, bow-shaped mouth contains a single central papilla (nipple-like structure) on the floor; several tiny papillae are also scattered outside the lower jaw and on the tongue
. There are 24 lower tooth rows. The pelvic fins are short and broad, with angular tips.
The slender tail measures 92% as long as the disc and tapers evenly to a long, low leaf-shaped caudal fin; there are subtle skin folds running along either side, but no dorsal fin
. Two serrated stinging spines are placed atop the tail, about halfway along its length. This species is the only member of its family with dermal denticles. There are four rows of small, sharp, well-spaced thorns running along the middle of the back on the aft portion of the disc, along with a single similar row along the midline of the tail base, before the stings. Müller and Henle reported it to be brown above, with dark spots either scattered or merged into blotches, and white below with darker fin margins. The spots appear to have faded in the preserved specimen. The only, juvenile specimen is 17.4 cm (6.9 in) long.
and gold
exploration. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) presently lacks sufficient information to assess it beyond Data Deficient
.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of stingray
Myliobatiformes
Myliobatiformes is one of the four orders of batoids, cartilaginous fishes related to sharks. They were formerly included in the order Rajiformes, but more recent phylogenetic studies have shown that the myliobatiforms are a monophyletic group, and that its more derived members evolved their...
in the family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Urolophidae, known only from a single juvenile male 17.4 cm (6.9 in) long, collected in the Bismarck Archipelago
Bismarck Archipelago
The Bismarck Archipelago is a group of islands off the northeastern coast of New Guinea in the western Pacific Ocean and is part of the Islands Region of Papua New Guinea.-History:...
. This species has an oval pectoral fin disc with tiny eyes and a rectangular curtain of skin between the nostrils. Its tail is fairly long and terminates in a leaf-shaped caudal fin, and lacks a dorsal fin
Dorsal fin
A dorsal fin is a fin located on the backs of various unrelated marine and freshwater vertebrates, including most fishes, marine mammals , and the ichthyosaurs...
. Uniquely among stingarees, it has rows of sharp spinules on the posterior portion of its back and the base of its tail. Its dorsal coloration is brown with dark spots. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed this ray as Data Deficient
Data Deficient
Data Deficient is a category applied by the IUCN, other agencies, and individuals to a species when the available information is not sufficient for a proper assessment of conservation status to be made...
, pending more information.
Taxonomy
The only known specimen of the New Ireland stingaree is a juvenile male collected by René Primevère Lesson and Prosper Garnot, during the 1822–25 expedition of the French frigateFrigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
La Coquille. It was first referenced as Urolophus armatus by Achille Valenciennes
Achille Valenciennes
Achille Valenciennes was a French zoologist.Valenciennes was born in Paris, and studied under Georges Cuvier. Valenciennes' study of parasitic worms in humans made an important contribution to the study of parasitology...
, and furnished with a description by Johannes Müller
Johannes Peter Müller
Johannes Peter Müller , was a German physiologist, comparative anatomist, and ichthyologist not only known for his discoveries but also for his ability to synthesize knowledge.-Early years and education:...
and Jakob Henle
Friedrich Gustav Jakob Henle
Friedrich Gustav Jakob Henle was a German physician, pathologist and anatomist. He is credited with the discovery of the loop of Henle in the kidney. His essay "On Miasma and Contagia" was an early argument for the germ theory of disease...
(who are thus considered the species authorities) in their 1838–41 Systematische Beschreibung der Plagiostomen. Its specific epithet means "armed" in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, referring to its denticles. Black-spotted stingaree is another common name
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
for this species. It may warrant being placed in a new genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
.
Distribution and habitat
The sole specimen was collected off the island of New IrelandNew Ireland (island)
New Ireland is a large island in Papua New Guinea, approximately 7,404 km² in area. It is the largest island of the New Ireland Province, lying northeast of the island of New Britain. Both islands are part of the Bismarck Archipelago, named after Otto von Bismarck, and they are separated by...
in the Bismarck Archipelago
Bismarck Archipelago
The Bismarck Archipelago is a group of islands off the northeastern coast of New Guinea in the western Pacific Ocean and is part of the Islands Region of Papua New Guinea.-History:...
, northeast of Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
, though the depth and habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
was not recorded. No other specimens have been found since, suggesting that it occurs only in a very restricted geographic and depth range.
Description
Superficially, the New Ireland stingaree resembles a much smaller deepwater stingrayDeepwater stingray
The deepwater stingray or giant stingaree is a species of stingray and the sole member of the family Plesiobatidae. It is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific, typically over fine sediments on the upper continental slope at depths of . This species reaches in length and in width...
(Plesiobatis daviesi). Its pectoral fin disc is oval in shape and wider than long, with evenly rounded outer margins. The leading margins of the disc become slightly concave as they converge on the protruding, pointed snout. The eyes are tiny and immediately followed by slightly larger spiracle
Spiracle
Spiracles are openings on the surface of some animals that usually lead to respiratory systems.-Vertebrates:The spiracle is a small hole behind each eye that opens to the mouth in some fishes. In the primitive jawless fish the first gill opening immediately behind the mouth is essentially similar...
s. The nostrils are short and oval, with a nearly rectangular curtain of skin between them; the posterior margin of the nasal curtain is minutely fringed. The small, bow-shaped mouth contains a single central papilla (nipple-like structure) on the floor; several tiny papillae are also scattered outside the lower jaw and on the tongue
Tongue
The tongue is a muscular hydrostat on the floors of the mouths of most vertebrates which manipulates food for mastication. It is the primary organ of taste , as much of the upper surface of the tongue is covered in papillae and taste buds. It is sensitive and kept moist by saliva, and is richly...
. There are 24 lower tooth rows. The pelvic fins are short and broad, with angular tips.
The slender tail measures 92% as long as the disc and tapers evenly to a long, low leaf-shaped caudal fin; there are subtle skin folds running along either side, but no dorsal fin
Dorsal fin
A dorsal fin is a fin located on the backs of various unrelated marine and freshwater vertebrates, including most fishes, marine mammals , and the ichthyosaurs...
. Two serrated stinging spines are placed atop the tail, about halfway along its length. This species is the only member of its family with dermal denticles. There are four rows of small, sharp, well-spaced thorns running along the middle of the back on the aft portion of the disc, along with a single similar row along the midline of the tail base, before the stings. Müller and Henle reported it to be brown above, with dark spots either scattered or merged into blotches, and white below with darker fin margins. The spots appear to have faded in the preserved specimen. The only, juvenile specimen is 17.4 cm (6.9 in) long.
Biology and ecology
Virtually nothing is known of the natural history of the New Ireland stingaree. It is presumably aplacental viviparous with a small litter size, like other stingarees.Human interactions
There is minimal fishing within the New Ireland stingaree's range, though it may be negatively affected by oilOil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
and gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
exploration. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) presently lacks sufficient information to assess it beyond Data Deficient
Data Deficient
Data Deficient is a category applied by the IUCN, other agencies, and individuals to a species when the available information is not sufficient for a proper assessment of conservation status to be made...
.