yellow yellow species family found tropical western atlantic_ocean north_carolina trinidad dwelling species inhabits sandy muddy bottoms shallow waters commonly near coral reefs reaching yellow round pectoral fin disc short tail developed caudal fin highly variable distinctive dorsal color pattern consisting light dark dark light forming spots rapidly change coloration improve camouflage relatively day yellow feeds small invertebrates bony fishes hunting disc uncover buried prey lift disc form cave attractive shelter seeking organisms species viviparous meaning developing embryos sustained initially yolk later milk females bear litters seven young year following gestation period months humans yellow inflict painful injury tail spine species taken commercial fisheries collected trade negatively affected habitat degradation remains common widespread led list concern taxonomy phylogeny french naturalist originally described yellow animal son organisation pour base des introduction based account specimens obtained jamaica type specimens designated subsequent authors moved species genus genus literature refers species common names ray include yellow spotted ray round ray maid ray phylogenetic analysis based morphology found yellow basal member clade contains species genus finding render study relationships taxa description yellow small growing long nearly circular pectoral fin disc slightly longer wide short snout eyes immediately followed narrow curtain skin nostrils fringed posterior margin mouth nearly straight contains transverse row floor tooth rows upper jaw similar number lower jaw arranged bands teeth broad based low blunt crowns females juveniles tall pointed adult males teeth males widely spaced females pelvic fins nearly straight leading margins rounded trailing margins tail stout flattened comprising half total length terminates small leaf shaped caudal fin quarter high long continuous spine positioned halfway tail newborn rays smooth skinned shortly birth small blunt appear middle larger adults extends eyes shoulders base tail adults develop upper margin caudal fin color pattern yellow varies significantly individuals follow schemes minute dark green brown light background dense white yellow golden spots dark green brown background underside yellowish greenish brownish white small darker spots disc margin tail species capable rapidly changing tone contrast coloration better match environment distribution habitat yellow found waters gulf_of_mexico representative family caribbean_sea including florida bahamas greater lesser antilles trinidad rare occasions ranges far north cape north_carolina abundant florida keys parts antilles uncommon mexico species occupies range benthic nature yellow inhabits coastal habitats bays low energy surf zones reported water edge depth particularly favors hard habitats dense invertebrates termed live habitats found sand mud vicinity coral reefs jamaica large numbers yellow square meter gather beneath aerial roots trees cattle birds sustain invertebrates attract rays evidence seasonal migration spring females tend found closer shore males biology ecology day yellow fairly inactive spends time buried thin layer sediment lying vegetation tracking studies shown generally remains small home range individuals covering portion entire area particular day favors boundaries different terrain sand reef eyes view surroundings eye bears elaborate covering allows fine control light entering pupil resting ray equipped detect approaching predators potentially include large fish tiger shark yellow sensitive sounds fairly typical sharks rays investigated far large brain relative rays comprising body weight diet yellow poorly documented includes likely worms small bony fishes typically ray settle prey item trap manipulated mouth motions disc like related round species uses disc margins pits reveal buried prey observed raising disc create shaded cave attract shelter seeking organisms known parasites yellow include life history like yellow viviparous embryos sustained yolk later supplanted milk rich proteins delivered mother numerous finger like extensions called mature females functional left right individuals left functional reproductive cycle month long gestation period period occurs january april peaking late february early march june september peaking late july early august second period occurs august september november january cycles overlap yolk formation begins female pregnant courtship mating yellow involves males closely following female seeking bite grip rear margin disc high pointed teeth males serve aid endeavor male successfully holds female aligned abdomen abdomen single rival males attempt interfere mating pair biting observation took place water deep near tobacco belize barrier reef male pursuit lasted seconds lasted minutes predominant source nutrition supports fold weight increase near term time embryo fully yolk sac external gills litter size ranges seven litter year spring summer larger second autumn winter number offspring increasing size female relationship observed second litter hand litter tend slightly smaller second litter average length versus second litter fewer larger young reflect lower temperatures autumn winter results slower growth beds serve important habitat emerge tail similar coloration adults disc relatively wider small covers shortly birth males females reach sexual maturity disc respectively maximum lifespan years human interactions generally yellow pay little divers approached closely stepped provoked ray defend tail spine coated potent venom resulting wound extremely painful seldom life threatening small yellow readily captivity reproduced requires large space gal fine deep substrate minimal ornamentation listed yellow concern citing wide distribution high abundance certain regions addition small size implies relatively high productivity population fishing pressure species targeted commercially probably taken incidentally fisheries range harvested home trade frequently available member family north american market extent trade potential threat habitat degradation particularly beds conservation measures enacted species
Yellow stingray