common common species family found northeastern atlantic_ocean mediterranean typically inhabits sandy muddy habitats coastal waters shallower burying sediment usually measuring common diamond shaped pectoral fin disc slightly wider long whip like tail upper lower fin identified plain coloration smooth skin row largest individuals predominant prey common dwelling crustaceans takes worms small bony fishes viviparous embryos yolk later milk produced mother females bear young twice year shallow water gestation period months common inflict painful rarely life threatening wound tail spine classical antiquity sting ascribed mythical properties species sought commercial fisheries taken large numbers utilized food liver oil population apparently range sufficient data assess taxonomy phylogeny documented classical antiquity common known ancient greeks ancient romans old common species great_britain 18th century fire fiery refer reddish color meat formal scientific description common authored father taxonomy tenth edition placed genus earlier references ray literature non names marina marina early accounts including incorporated information species consequently designation interests taxonomic stability enacted blue southern africa long regarded variant common common lacks blue markings species differs morphological characters led definitively recognized separate species distinction species similar mediterranean poorly understood valid requiring investigation published phylogenetic analysis species based morphology common reported basal member genus generally recognized belonging genus recently placed different genus distribution habitat common found mediterranean occurs significantly lower numbers northeastern atlantic_ocean southern norway western baltic_sea dwelling species found shore depth usually found deeper favors sandy muddy bottoms calm water encountered near rocky reefs tolerant low azores common abundant summer abundant winter suggestive seasonal shift range depth documented ray species description common reported reach width length width typical flattened pectoral fin disc diamond shaped slightly wider long narrowly rounded outer corners leading margins disc straight converge pointed slightly protruding snout trailing margins disc convex eyes smaller paired respiratory openings placed closely upper tooth rows lower tooth rows teeth small blunt arranged flattened surfaces like structures floor mouth tail slender whip like measuring approximately half long disc spine strong measuring long equipped venom base positioned distance tail second spine present spines regularly replaced new spines grow existing ones shed tail spine bears low fold short deep fold underneath body tail smooth save dermal denticles leading edge disk older individuals develop row bony species solid gray brown reddish olive green whitish dark fin margins young rays white spots biology ecology encountered singly social groups common appears sex degree active night tending bury sediment daytime feeds wide variety dwelling organisms including crustaceans cephalopods worms small bony fishes reportedly great damage beds study turkey found crustaceans comprised diet fish prey increasingly important age study coast turkey found important component shrimp followed pistol shrimp swimming crab cephalopods relatively important males fishes important females common observed closely following presence food possibly advantage individuals foraging success like common viviparous embryos initially sustained yolk later supplemented milk enriched proteins fat delivered mother numerous extensions called females bear litters pups year shallow waters following gestation period months authors generally reported summer september narrower july august mature rays known aggregate mid june july possibly reproductive purposes measure long males reach sexual maturity females oldest known individual wild years age species lived years captivity known parasites common include minimum human interactions aggressive common inflict wound tail spine ancient greeks romans greatly feared venom authors stating wounds roman naturalist elder natural history asserted spine capable killing trees piercing armor like arrow iron greek poet claimed touch venom dissolve stone greek mythology hercules said lost finger bite said armed son spear tipped spine accidentally father british zoologist fishes great britain ireland noted common eaten rank flesh welsh fishermen liver oil treatment burns injuries present day pectoral fins wings species sold smoked dried utilized source liver oil liver regarded french cuisine prepare dishes common caught incidentally commercial fisheries parts range beach nets habitat preferences ray susceptible small scale coastal fisheries industrial operations makes shark ray net catch surveys indicate common declined mediterranean northeastern atlantic result assessed species regions species listed common protected marine protected areas benefits european_union ban use coast
Common stingray