species family widely distributed red_sea northern australia benthic shallow waters juvenile favor habitats adults favor sandy rocky areas coral reefs species identified thick oval pectoral fin disc dark gray numerous white relatively short whip like tail white past spine grows solitary nature mainly small dwelling bony fishes invertebrates like viviparous females young milk caught meat skin range assessed globally endangered southeast_asia population declined substantially intensive commercial fisheries widespread habitat degradation particular juvenile rays targeted affected large scale destruction forests taxonomy australian zoologist published scientific account brief description immature female long caught port volume named noted specimen head covered small moved species genus belongs species complex common names ray include ray ray description pectoral fin disc thick oval shape measuring times wide long anterior margins disc nearly straight converge broad angle snout tip medium sized widely spaced eyes immediately followed long thin nostrils short broad curtain skin finely fringed posterior margin lower jaw bow shaped floor mouth teeth arranged pattern number rows upper jaw rows lower jaw pairs gill slits beneath disc pelvic fins small narrow tail thick base measures times longer disc width positioned spines located tail past sting tail thin whip like fin upper surface body tail tiny dermal denticles larger tail addition irregular rows present dorsal head sting dark brown gray white dots increasing size dark coloration layer body light orange gray underside white small dark spots disc margin tail abruptly white past sting species grows long distribution habitat uncommon widely distributed reported red_sea including archipelago sumatra new_guinea northern australia islands including guam fiji dwelling species typically inhabits shallow water close shore adults recorded offshore depth juvenile rays frequent habitats contrast adults prefer areas sand sand rock rubble hard found coral reefs biology ecology unlike relatives reportedly solitary nature relatively inactive day resting half buried sand atop coral heads actively food night species sensitivity effective range enabling locate buried prey juveniles feed mainly small crustaceans including crabs adults prey small benthic bony fishes including invertebrates including worms crabs viviparous developing embryos sustained nutrient rich milk produced mother measure males reach sexual maturity known parasites species include species genus human interactions capable injuring human sting occasionally caught nets lesser extent marketed meat skin habitat preferences naturally uncommon species highly susceptible intensive commercial fishing occurring range southeast_asia immature rays particularly affected local fishing habitat degradation widespread loss forests additionally numbers species dropped significantly indonesian fishery targeting involves vessels increasingly operating illegally australian waters factors led decline southeast asian population leading regional assessment endangered threatened northern australia caught incidentally small numbers following mandatory adoption result iucn assessment australian population concern globally iucn listed species
Mangrove whipray