Page 258 - Melanesia

tingray - Most stingrays have one or them being listed as vulnerable or endan- ing plates, while other species only have
gered by IUCN. and also includes species sucking mouthparts. Stingrays settle on the
S more barbed stingers (modified from found in warmer temperate oceans. The bottom while feeding, often leaving only
flattened bodies of stingrays allow them to their eyes and tail visible. Coral reefs are
dermal denticles) on the tail, which are effectively conceal themselves in their envi- favorite feeding grounds and are usually
used exclusively in self-defense. The stinger ronment. Stingrays do this by agitating the shared with sharks during high tide. Sting-
may reach a length of approximately 35 cm sand and hiding beneath it. Because their rays are usually very docile and curious,
(14 in), and its underside has two grooves eyes are on top of their bodies and their their usual reaction being to flee any distur-
with venom glands. The stinger is covered mouths on the undersides, stingrays cannot bance, but they will sometimes brush their
with a thin layer of skin, the integumentary see their prey; instead, they use smell and fins past any new object they encounter.
sheath, in which the venom is concentrat- electroreceptors (ampullae of Lorenzini) Nevertheless, certain larger species may be
ed. A few members of the suborder, such as similar to those of sharks. Stingrays feed more aggressive and should be approached
the manta rays and the porcupine ray, do primarily on molluscs, crustaceans, and with caution, as the stingray’s defensive re-
not have stingers. Stingrays are common in occasionally on small fish. Some stingrays’ flex (use of its poisoned stinger) may result
coastal tropical and subtropical marine wa- mouths contain two powerful, shell-crush- in serious injury or death.
ters throughout the world. The conserva-
tion status is more problematic, leading to