Keith DP Wilson, UK
Info
(Müller & Henle, 1841)
The common name for the Taeniura meyeni (Blotched Fantail Ray) comes from its coloration and tail flap. The upper surface is a pattern of black, grey and white spots and blotches which ends abruptly at the edges of the circular-shaped body. The pattern continues along the tail to the one or two spines where the colour changes to black or dark grey. The very edges of the body disc are white like the belly. From the spine to the pointed tip a flap of skin runs along the underside of the tail.
This ray has a broad international distribution it lives throughout the coastal waters of the northern tropics. It is common on coral reefs where it feeds on bottom-dwelling animals. While the Blotched Fantail Ray is approachable and at times curious, it should be treated with respect; at least one human fatality has been attributed to this ray.
Synonyms:
Taeniura melanospila Bleeker, 1853
Taeniura melanospilos Bleeker, 1853
Taeniura meyemi Müller & Henle, 1841
Taeniura mortoni MacLeay, 1883
Taeniurops meyeni (Müller & Henle, 1841)
Classification: Biota > Animalia (Kingdom) > Chordata (Phylum) > Vertebrata (Subphylum) > Gnathostomata (Superclass) > Pisces (Superclass) > Elasmobranchii (Class) > Neoselachii (Subclass) > Batoidea (Infraclass) > Myliobatiformes (Order) > Dasyatidae (Family) > Taeniura (Genus) > Taeniura meyeni (Species)
If you want to find out about the size of rays in specialist literature, usually written in English, you will often come across two abbreviations that ultimately mean the same thing: DW or WD.
If you look at FishBase, WoRMS or first descriptions of rays, you will find these abbreviations.
The total length including shoal is only rarely given, the TL.
Caution:
People have already died from stingray bites, including the well-known Australian documentary filmmaker, adventurer and zoo director of the Australian Zoo, Steve Irwin "The Crocodile Hunter" from Australia in 2006.
Even if the sting injuries are not fatal, the sting causes extremely painful and deep wounds in any case, and there is also a risk of parts of the sting breaking off in the wound and subsequent surgery becoming necessary.
The situation becomes particularly dramatic if toxins enter the body via the sting.
Occasionally beach visitors accidentally step on stingrays, some of which are buried in the sand near the beach, resulting in a painful, serious wound to the foot, so always wear bathing shoes as a minimum.
Snorkelers and divers should never swim over stingrays lying on the bottom, as the stingray can quickly fling its muscular, whip-like tail around and stab in defense.
In any case, seek medical attention immediately or seek immediate transportation to the nearest hospital.
The common name for the Taeniura meyeni (Blotched Fantail Ray) comes from its coloration and tail flap. The upper surface is a pattern of black, grey and white spots and blotches which ends abruptly at the edges of the circular-shaped body. The pattern continues along the tail to the one or two spines where the colour changes to black or dark grey. The very edges of the body disc are white like the belly. From the spine to the pointed tip a flap of skin runs along the underside of the tail.
This ray has a broad international distribution it lives throughout the coastal waters of the northern tropics. It is common on coral reefs where it feeds on bottom-dwelling animals. While the Blotched Fantail Ray is approachable and at times curious, it should be treated with respect; at least one human fatality has been attributed to this ray.
Synonyms:
Taeniura melanospila Bleeker, 1853
Taeniura melanospilos Bleeker, 1853
Taeniura meyemi Müller & Henle, 1841
Taeniura mortoni MacLeay, 1883
Taeniurops meyeni (Müller & Henle, 1841)
Classification: Biota > Animalia (Kingdom) > Chordata (Phylum) > Vertebrata (Subphylum) > Gnathostomata (Superclass) > Pisces (Superclass) > Elasmobranchii (Class) > Neoselachii (Subclass) > Batoidea (Infraclass) > Myliobatiformes (Order) > Dasyatidae (Family) > Taeniura (Genus) > Taeniura meyeni (Species)
If you want to find out about the size of rays in specialist literature, usually written in English, you will often come across two abbreviations that ultimately mean the same thing: DW or WD.
If you look at FishBase, WoRMS or first descriptions of rays, you will find these abbreviations.
The total length including shoal is only rarely given, the TL.
Caution:
People have already died from stingray bites, including the well-known Australian documentary filmmaker, adventurer and zoo director of the Australian Zoo, Steve Irwin "The Crocodile Hunter" from Australia in 2006.
Even if the sting injuries are not fatal, the sting causes extremely painful and deep wounds in any case, and there is also a risk of parts of the sting breaking off in the wound and subsequent surgery becoming necessary.
The situation becomes particularly dramatic if toxins enter the body via the sting.
Occasionally beach visitors accidentally step on stingrays, some of which are buried in the sand near the beach, resulting in a painful, serious wound to the foot, so always wear bathing shoes as a minimum.
Snorkelers and divers should never swim over stingrays lying on the bottom, as the stingray can quickly fling its muscular, whip-like tail around and stab in defense.
In any case, seek medical attention immediately or seek immediate transportation to the nearest hospital.
