Fontitrygon margaritella

(Compagno & Roberts, 1984)


Pearl stingray
Classification: Elasmobranchii Myliobatiformes Dasyatidae

Reference of the original description
Compagno, L.J.V. & Roberts, T.R. (1984)
Marine and freshwater stingrays (Dasyatidae) of West Africa, with description of a new species. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, (Series 4), 43(18), 283–300

Image of the original description
Image in copyright.

Synonyms / new combinations and misspellings
Amphotistius margaritellus, Dasyatis cf. margaritella, Dasyatis margaritella

Types
Fontitrygon margaritella

Dasyatis margaritella
Holotype: SU: 68915; Paratype: SU: 68916;


Description :


Citation: Fontitrygon margaritella (Compagno & Roberts, 1984): In: Database of modern sharks, rays and chimaeras, www.shark-references.com, World Wide Web electronic publication, Version 03/2024

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Fontitrygon margaritella (Compagno & Roberts, 1984), ERB 1298, female, 26, 7 cm DW, 67, 2 cm TL, Ghana © Frederik H. Mollen (Elasmobranch Research Belgium)
Common names
eng Pearl stingray

Short Description
Disc oval, moderately flat, its medial lobe broad-based and moderately exserted, its anterior margin concave; middle third of disc covered with small heart-shaped or circular flat denticles, no enlarged thorns on disc or tail; snout moderately long, acutely pointed; pearl spines always present and moderately large [546]. Total tooth rows 28-41/34-50; total pectoral radials 113-127 (Ref. 7397). Disc and pelvic fins gray-brown above, without spots or prominent markings, white below and without a marginal dark band [546].

Distribution
Eastern Central Atlantic: off Cap Blanc to Angola. Often confused with Dasyatis margarita (Günther, 1870) (Ref. 7397). Source: www.gbif.org

Biology
Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, fat or protein through specialised structures [733]. Distinct pairing with embrace [17086].

Size / Weight / Age
30.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 7397)); max. published weight: 1,000 g (Ref. 7397)

Habitat
demersal; brackish; marine

Remarks
shark-references Species-ID=14647;

Parasites (arranged by Jürgen Pollerspöck)
Cestoda
  • Anthocephalum papefayei Ruhnke, Caira & Cox, 2015 [22027]
  • Rhinebothrium sp. [16908]
  • Stillabothrium allisonae Dedrick & Reyda, 2018 [26716]
  • Stillabothrium charlotteae Iwanyckyj, Dedrick & Reyda, 2018 [26716]