The Eastern Shovelnose Stingaree (Trygonoptera imitata) is a species of stingray in the family Urolophidae. This ray is found in the waters of the southwestern Pacific Ocean, where it inhabits a variety of habitats, including sandy bottoms and seagrass meadows.
Description & Characteristics
The Eastern Shovelnose Stingaree is characterized by its flattened, diamond-shaped body and a distinctive shovel-shaped snout. Its upper surface is covered in rough skin, while the underside is smooth. The ray’s coloration is typically grayish-brown or tan, with darker blotches or spots. The Eastern Shovelnose Stingaree can reach a maximum size of 68.9 cm in length.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Eastern Shovelnose Stingaree is found in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, primarily along the coast of Australia. It is known to inhabit a range of marine zones, including the continental shelf and the slope. The species favors sandy bottoms and seagrass meadows, where it finds shelter and hunts for prey.
Taxonomy
The species Trygonoptera imitata belongs to the Class Elasmobranchii, Order Myliobatiformes, and Family Urolophidae. This family, commonly known as the “stingrays”, includes over 100 species of rays found worldwide.
Feeding
The Eastern Shovelnose Stingaree is a predatory species, feeding primarily on a diet of small fishes and invertebrates. It also consumes zoobenthos, which are organisms that live on the seafloor. The ray uses its shovel-shaped snout to dig into the substrate and locate its prey.
Image References