Maculabatis astra

(Last, Manjaji-Matsumoto & Pogonoski, 2008)



Classification: Elasmobranchii Myliobatiformes Dasyatidae

Reference of the original description
Last, P.R. & Manjaji-Matsumoto, B.M. & Pogonoski, J.J. (2008)
Himantura astra sp. nov., a new whipray (Myliobatoidei: Dasyatidae) from northern Australia. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper, 22, 303–314

Image of the original description

Dorsal view of: A. Maculabatis astra sp. nov. juvenile male paratype (CSIRO H 3373–02, 177 mm DW, fresh); In: Last, P.R. & Manjaji-Matsumoto, B.M. & Pogonoski, J.J. (2008): Himantura astra sp. nov, a new whipray (Myliobatoidei: Dasyatidae) from northern Australia. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper, 22: 303-314

Synonyms / new combinations and misspellings
Himantura astra, Himantura cf. astra, Maculabatis cf. astra



Description :


Citation: Maculabatis astra (Last, Manjaji-Matsumoto & Pogonoski, 2008): In: Database of modern sharks, rays and chimaeras, www.shark-references.com, World Wide Web electronic publication, Version 12/2024

Please send your images of "Maculabatis astra" to info@shark-references.com

Maculabatis astra, adult male holotype (CSIRO H 3377–01, 589 mm DW, preserved): dorsal view; ventral view. In: Last, P.R. & Manjaji-Matsumoto, B.M. & Pogonoski, J.J. (2008): Himantura astra sp. nov, a new whipray (Myliobatoidei: Dasyatidae) from northern Australia. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper, 22: 303-314
Common names
eng Black-spotted whipray

Short Description
Original diagnosis after LAST, MANJAJI-MATSUMOTO & POGONOSKI, 2008 [3355]: A species of Himantura distinguished by a combination of the following features: disc rhomboidal, trunk not greatly thickened; preorbital snout moderately long, with a weak apical lobe, angle 102–112°; lateral apices moderately angular to narrowly rounded; orbits moderately large, protruded slightly; tail with deep longitudinal groove on mid-ventral surface and prominent ridge along its mid-lateral edge; primary denticle band present in postnatal juveniles (exceeding 200 mm DW) and larger; secondary denticle band subrectangular, with well-defined lateral margins, band extending along trunk from preorbital and onto tail, its maximum width subequal to interspiracular width; band fully developed by 480 mm disc width; dorsal surface with diffuse dark brown spots or specks, spots extending onto tail to stinging spine base; distance between spots more than diameter of largest spot apart; tail banded beyond sting in juveniles (less than 300 mm DW), saddled above and pale ventrally in largest adults; pectoral-fin radials 130–135; total vertebral count (excluding 1st synarcual centra) 94–102, monospondylous centra 43–47, pre-sting diplospondylous centra 50–56.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Australia, to West Papua, Indonesia; including Timor Sea. Source: www.gbif.org

Size / Weight / Age
180 cm WD (male/unsexed; [3355])

Habitat
benthopelagic; marine; depth range 1 - 141 m [3355]

Remarks
shark-references Species-ID=14649;

Parasites (arranged by Jürgen Pollerspöck)
Cestoda
  • Acanthobothrium cannoni Campbell & Beveridge, 2002 [26821]
  • Prochristianella aciculata Beveridge & Justine, 2010 [17404]
  • Prochristianella clarkeae Beveridge, 1990 [17404]
  • Stillabothrium jeanfortiae Forti, Aprill & Reyda, 2016 [27352]
  • Stillabothrium mariae Ruhnke, Aguilar & Reyda, 2022 [30721]

Copepoda
  • Lepeophtheirus acutus Heegaard, 1943 [26229]