sparsely spotted sparsely spotted white spotted species family common southern australian coast preferring sandy flats beds benthic ray found close shore depth tends occur deeper northern portion range reaching length species broad diamond shaped pectoral fin disc typically plain gray color shaped marking eyes individuals southerly waters generally exhibit small dark edged white spots ray characterized bell shaped curtain skin nostrils tail skin fold running leaf shaped caudal fin dorsal fin relatively inactive daytime sparsely spotted mainly crustaceans lesser extent worms small benthic organisms viviparous mother young milk life history differs eastern western eastern females bear litters pups month gestation period western females bear litters pups month gestation period western rays mature later live longer eastern rays sting sparsely spotted potentially humans reported react aggressively disturbed listed concern little fishing activity majority range taxonomy sparsely spotted described issue specific epithet derived latin meaning meaning spotted type specimen collected near victoria eastern western portions range differ aspects life history merit taxonomic investigation according distribution habitat abundant fishes southern australia sparsely spotted relatively wide distribution extending new_south_wales including entirety tasmania range expanded southward past decades apparently climate change numbers increased likely result fisheries ecological competitors dwelling nature sparsely spotted inhabits variety sandy habitats ranging shallow sheltered bays open continental shelf deep rays found north great australian bight tend found depths greater contrast rays found south victoria tasmania common water evidence segregation age sex offshore migration winter description sparsely spotted diamond shaped pectoral fin disc wider long rounded outer corners anterior margins disc nearly straight converge angle snout tip barely disc small eyes immediately followed shaped angular rounded posterior outer rim enlarged nostrils bell shaped curtain skin finely fringed trailing margin similarly shaped nasal curtain small mouth contains like structures floor tips additional small present outside lower jaw teeth jaws small roughly oval bases arranged pattern pairs gill slits short pelvic fins small rounded tail measures long disc flattened base slender tip bears deep leaf shaped caudal fin prominent fold skin running tail spine placed upper surface halfway length dorsal fin skin completely devoid dermal denticles species uniformly light gray darker shaped marking eyes white slightly darker lateral disc margins rays southern portion range handful small regularly arranged spots atop disc white dark border juveniles black caudal fin age margin largest individual record long biology ecology day sparsely spotted spends time resting buried sand crustaceans form main component diet accounting food intake volume important worms relatively mobile buried type major secondary food source rare occasions small bony fishes eaten species incorporates progressively greater diversity prey diet grows older specifically decline importance worms crabs consumed greater proportions sparsely spotted preyed shark known genus like sparsely spotted viviparous developing embryos exhaust supply yolk mother supplies nutrient rich milk specialized extensions called females single functional right annual reproductive cycle eastern occurs spring early summer litter size ranges increasing female size gestation period lasts approximately year measure long males reach sexual maturity long half years age females long years age maximum lifespan years males years females western mating occurs early mid summer females bear litters pups gestation period lasts months taking place late spring early summer measure males mature sexually years age females years age maximum lifespan years females grow slowly larger ultimate size males human interactions reported aggressive sparsely spotted readily employs sting disturbed inflict painful injury human edible seldom brought market fishing pressure insignificant large portions ray range including substantial numbers caught incidentally commercial fisheries southeastern southwestern australia beach sparsely spotted generally survives captured discarded process causes young losses fisheries appear sustainable present iucn listed species concern number small range potentially benefit implementation australian national plan action conservation management sharks
Sparsely-spotted stingaree