Daisy stingray

Daisy stingray
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Order: Myliobatiformes
Family: Dasyatidae
Genus: Fontitrygon
Species:
F. margarita
Binomial name
Fontitrygon margarita
(Günther, 1870)
Synonyms
  • Trygon margarita Günther, 1870
  • Dasyatis margarita (Günther, 1870)

The daisy stingray, Fontitrygon margarita, is a little-known species of stingray in the family Dasyatidae, found in shallow waters along the coast of West Africa. This species typically grows to 60 cm (24 in) across and has a rounded pectoral fin disc and (in adults) a wide band of dermal denticles over its back. It is characterized by a greatly enlarged, nacreous denticle in the middle of its back called a "pearl spine"; this feature is shared with the similar but much smaller pearl stingray (F. margaritella), which has often been confused with this species.[2] The daisy stingray feeds mainly on crustaceans and exhibits aplacental viviparity, with litters of 1–4 young. Heavily pressured by fisheries and possibly habitat degradation, this once-common species is declining and has been assessed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

  1. ^ Jabado, R.W.; Badji, L.; Chartrain, E.; De Bruyne, G.; Derrick, D.; Dia, M.; Diop, M.; Doherty, P.; Keith Diagne, L.; Leurs, G.H.L.; Metcalfe, K.; Seidu, I.; Soares, A.-L.; Tamo, A.; VanderWright, W.J.; Williams, A.B. (2021). "Fontitrygon margarita". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T161495A104172843. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T161495A104172843.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference compagno and roberts was invoked but never defined (see the help page).