banded species family endemic southeastern australia mainly victoria tasmania marginally new_south_wales south_australia dwelling fish generally inhabits sand reef habitats deeper victoria muddy habitats shallow bays tasmania distinctive dark pattern consisting stripe crossed transverse bars oval pectoral fin disc blunt snout skirt shaped curtain skin nostrils tail short skin fold sides deep leaf shaped caudal fin youngest rays small dorsal fin tail spine species reaches length day usually inactive found partially completely buried sand sea floor adults forage crustaceans worms small invertebrates juveniles feed smaller crustaceans species viviparous developing embryos sustained term milk produced mother females bear litters pups year gestation period months species closely related sting potentially humans common species seldom caught commercial fisheries northernmost extent range population largely secure listed concern taxonomy french naturalist originally described volume scientific journal paris specific epithet means cross like latin referring distinctive markings origin type specimen given simply australia der german placed species newly created genus victorian differ markedly habitat preferences merit taxonomic investigation according ray closely related addition morphological similarities study fishes species distinguished basis gene sequences close evolutionary relationship distribution habitat distribution mainly encompasses coastal waters victoria tasmania abundant ranges far east bay new south wales far west south australia dwelling nature species reported zone depth upper continental slope rays victorian prefer sandy flats rocky reefs seldom seen water occurring commonly depths greater contrast rays usually found muddy bottoms shallow bays large occasionally penetrating water description pectoral fin disc slightly wider long oval shape anterior margins nearly straight angle snout blunt generally protruding disc eyes small immediately followed shaped rounded angular posterior outer rim form small nostrils skirt shaped curtain skin deeply fringed posterior margin mouth small strongly arched containing like structures floor additional patch present outside lower jaw upper lower teeth small roughly oval bases arranged pattern pairs gill slits short pelvic fins small rounded margins short tail measures disc length flattened oval cross section lateral skin single spine positioned halfway tail length sting preceded small dorsal fin fin lost age evidenced small ridge end tail short deep leaf shaped caudal fin skin entirely devoid dermal denticles grayish yellowish brown pattern dark markings including stripe running crossed transverse bars near eyes gill region center disc pattern strongest rays southern portion range dark brown black individuals recorded underside white slightly darker disc margin caudal fin grayish body tail species maximum known length females generally grow larger males biology ecology generally nocturnal spends long stretches day lying sea floor partially completely buried sediment known form groups varying size mixing species ray predator small organisms buried victoria quarters prey consumed crustaceans particularly comprise majority remainder worms eaten significant quantities squid taken young rays feed mainly smaller age progressively greater diversity larger prey incorporated diet shark known prey threatened ray raises tail body like fashion parasites documented species include genus like viviparous developing embryos exhaust supply yolk mother provisions nutrient rich milk specialized extensions called females produce litters pups year development proceeds rapidly month period total gestation period longer period eggs reported tasmania large mouth river serve nursery areas different authors variously reported birth length maturation length females usually slightly larger size males range sizes reflect life history differences different parts range sexes mature years age live years naturally closely related southern new_south_wales species overlap apparent hybrid offspring intermediate color patterns found true represent known cases fishes human interactions inflict injury human sting require surgical intervention tip sting breaks inside wound base tail highly flexible allowing strike person touching body 19th century hazard posed species led persecution fishery workers form metal spike pierce ray remove net iucn listed concern exposed minimal fishing activity western tasmania constitute distribution impact fisheries unlikely severe new_south_wales caught incidentally southern captured rays likely experience high mortality tend young caused overall decline area operations affects small portion species range
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