Potamotrygon albimaculata

De Carvalho, 2016



Classification: Elasmobranchii Myliobatiformes Potamotrygonidae

Reference of the original description
de Carvalho, M.R. (2016)
Description of two extraordinary new species of freshwater stingrays of the genus Potamotrygon endemic to the rio Tapajós basin, Brazil (Chondrichthyes: Potamotrygonidae), with notes on other Tapajós stingrays. Zootaxa, 4167(1), 1–63

Types
Potamotrygon albimaculata
Holotype: MZUSP: 105016; Paratype: MZUSP: 103922; MZUSP: 104999; MZUSP: 105001; MZUSP: 105006; MZUSP: 105010;

Images of types

Description :


Citation: Potamotrygon albimaculata De Carvalho, 2016: In: Database of modern sharks, rays and chimaeras, www.shark-references.com, World Wide Web electronic publication, Version 03/2024

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Potamotrygon albimaculata De Carvalho, 2016, MZUSP 105016, adult female, 790 mm TL, 531 mm DL, 500 mm DW © MARCELO R. De Carvalho, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
Common names
eng Tapajós freshwater stingray, por pretinha do Tapajós

Short Description
Original diagnosis after DE CARVALHO, 2016 [24421]: A species of Potamotrygon endemic to the mid and upper rio Tapajós, diagnosed by its unique color pattern, composed of an intense, uniform dark brown to blackish-brown dorsal color with whitish, circular spots on dorsal disc and tail base, usually smaller than eye-diameter, sometimes forming faint ocelli, and not closely packed together; spots sometimes irregular in shape or vermiform, but not fused together to form more elaborate markings; ventral color dark brown, more intense closer to disc margins and fading toward central disc, with creamy white ventral snout, anterior disc area, and branchial slit region, with few small, faint whitish to grayish blotches on dark brown ventral disc, pelvic fins and ventral tail base. In addition, P. albimaculata, sp. nov., can be diagnosed from congeners by the combination of having numerous regularly distributed dorsal tail thorns in irregular parallel rows, with thorns evenly spread out and covering all of dorsal and most of lateral tail region, with a relatively large space between individual thorns (i.e. thorns not closely packed together) (only P. leopoldi has a vaguely similar pattern of dorsal tail thorns, but with fewer thorns in a less broad but well defined band on central dorsal tail area); pelvic fins with broadly circular apices (also present in P. rex, P. henlei and P. leopoldi, but these black stingray species have distinct and specific color patterns); absence of discrete labial grooves (strong grooves present at least in P. orbignyi, P. humerosa, P. marinae, and P. constellata); and two angular cartilages, with anterior angular cartilage more stout than slender posterior angular (single angular present in P. tigrina, P. schroederi, P. constellata, P. magdalenae, P. histrix, P. schuhmacheri, P. orbignyi, P. humerosa, P. marinae, and P. wallacei; anterior angular broad and posterior angular absent or very small, abutting hyomandibula, in P. signata, P. pantanensis and P. amandae; anterior and posterior angulars present in addition to a small lateral element in P. limai and P. scobina).

Distribution
endemic to the mid and upper rio Tapajós in Amazonas, Pará and Mato Grosso states, Brazil [24421]

Biology
matrotrophic viviparity, Fecundity ranges from 1–4 embryos, but usually two embryos are born per gestation [24421]

Size / Weight / Age
range: 383 - 790 mm TL [24421]

Habitat
freshwater [24421]

Dentition
Teeth very small and numerous, set in quincunx, in 28–44/25–58 total longitudinal rows in large juveniles and adults; 40/46 in adult male (MZUSP 105001), 32/38 in large juvenile male, almost adult (MZUSP 103922); 28/32 in female almost adult (MZUSP 120446); holotype with 44/58. In some preserved specimens, few exposed median tooth rows present on both upper and lower dental plate (not in live specimens nor fresh material). Tooth crown rhomboidal in apical view, with slightly concave anterior margin; mature males with very small cusps. [24421]

Remarks
shark-references Species-ID=14695; CITES: (see: Protected Species for more details) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Speciesof Wild Fauna and Flora annex: III; Council Regulation 2017/160 annex: C