Common
Names: Longtail
stingray
Latin
Name: Dasyatis
longus
Family:
Dasyatididae
Identification:
Rhomboid
disc. Disc margins almost straight. Disc grayish brown to reddish brown. Tail
about twice body length. Dorsal finfold absent but with low dorsal keel. Ventral
finfold low and long, from base of spine to around half way along tail.
Tubercles on shoulders. Eyes small. Ventrum pale.
Size:
Disc
width to more than one meter.
Habitat:
Sand
or rubble adjacent to coral or rocky reefs.
Abundance
and distribution:
Sea
of
Cortez
to Galapagos.
Behavior:
Rests
in sand during the day.
Reproduction:
Ovoviviparous.
Observations:
I
witnessed many longtail stingrays cruising between reefs at Cabo Pulmo during
the middle of the day. They did not appear to be feeding at this time.
Photographs:
Cabo
Pulmo, Baja. Catalina Grande,
Costa
Rica
.
Similar
species: Diamond
stingray – Dasyatis dipterura.
Reaction
to divers: Skittish.
Moves away when approached.
Diving logistics:
This
species can be encountered around the reefs of Cabo Pulmo especially at Los
Morros where it often aggregates with Diamond stingrays. Sightings may be
seasonal and these photographs were taken in October. Pepe Dive Centre in Cabo
Pulmo can arrange transportation to the reefs and a dive master which is
required in the marine park.
Other
diving locations submitted by readers:
References
and further reading:
Reef
Sharks and Rays of the World. Scott W. Michael. Sea Challengers.
