Hemitrygon
Hemitrygon is a genus of stingrays in the family Dasyatidae. This genus includes six species of stingrays with a wide distribution across the Indo-Pacific region. Hemitrygon species are commonly known as whiprays due to their long, whip-like tails.
Characteristics
Whiprays are characterized by their flattened bodies, large pectoral fins that extend to the head, and a long, slender tail with a venomous spine. They have a distinctive "whip-like" tail, hence their common name. The tail is usually longer than the body and is used for locomotion and defense. The dorsal surface is typically smooth and covered in small, embedded denticles, while the ventral surface is smooth and often has a pair of prominent spiracles (breathing holes) behind the eyes.
Environment
Hemitrygon species are found in a variety of marine habitats, including sandy bottoms, reefs, estuaries, and coastal waters. They are primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Indo-Pacific. They are often found in shallow water but can also be found in deeper waters.
Species
The genus Hemitrygon includes six recognized species:
- Hemitrygon akajei (Müller & Henle, 1841) - Japanese whipray
- Hemitrygon bennetti (Müller & Henle, 1841) - Bennett's whipray
- Hemitrygon fluviatilis (Müller & Henle, 1841) - River whipray
- Hemitrygon laevigata (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) - Smooth whipray
- Hemitrygon parvimaculata (Manjaji-Matsumoto & Last, 2014)
- Hemitrygon warreni (White, 1939) - Warren's whipray
References
For further information on Hemitrygon, you can refer to the following resources: