Longtail stingray

Appearance

The longtail stingray reaches a maximum known disc width of 1.58 m, length of 2.57 m, and weight of 46.4 kg.

It has a diamond-shaped pectoral fin disc about a sixth wider than long, with the outer corners broadly rounded. The front margins are nearly straight, meeting the tip of the snout at a blunt angle. There is a row of five papillae across the floor of the mouth; the two on the sides are smaller than the others. The pelvic fins are rounded. The whip-like tail bears a stinging spine and measures more than twice as long as the disc. Behind the spine, the tail becomes laterally compressed with a low keel above and a short, narrow fin fold below.

There is a row of pointed tubercles running along the midline of the back from between the "shoulders" to the base of the tail. Two much shorter rows of smaller tubercles, slightly converging backward, are found alongside the central row behind the shoulders. Numerous small dermal denticles are also found between the eyes and on the tail behind the spine. The dorsal coloration varies from plain reddish-brown to dark gray, and the underside is light. The extent of denticle coverage and number of oral papillae can vary among individuals. The longtail stingray closely resembles the diamond stingray , which is found in the same region, but can be distinguished by its lack of an upper tail fold. The length of the tail is not a reliable diagnostic character for this species, as it is frequently damaged.

Distribution

The longtail stingray is found along the tropical Pacific coast of the Americas, from central Baja California to Colombia, including the Revillagigedo and Galapagos Islands. This species inhabits sandy or muddy flats to a depth of 90 m, often near rocky or coral reefs, or in estuaries. In the Galapagos, it was reportedly abundant in the shallow lagoons of mangrove swamps at Fernandina Island.

Reproduction

Like other stingrays, the longtail stingray is aplacental viviparous with the developing embryos sustained initially by yolk and later by histotroph produced by the mother. Adult females have a single functional ovary. Near-term females appear to swim into shallow estuaries and tidal creeks to give birth, following a gestation period of 10–11 months, and may mate again immediately after. A litter contains 1–5 young, each measuring about 40 cm across. Males mature sexually at 0.8 m across, and females at 1.1 m across.

Food

Apparently solitary in nature, the longtail stingray is a predator of bottom-dwelling bony fishes and invertebrates, in particular stomatopods, decapods, and molluscs.

Known parasites of this species include the tapeworms ''Acanthobothrium cimari'', ''A. cleofanus'', ''A. costarricense'', ''A. puntarenasense'', and ''A. vargasi'', ''Anthocephalum lukei'' and ''A. michaeli'', ''Parachristianella dimegacantha'', ''Pseudochristianella elegantissima'' and ''P. nudiscula'', and ''Pterobothrioides carvajali'', and the monogenean ''Listrocephalos whittingtoni''.