estuary estuary called estuary brown species family endemic eastern australia typically inhabits shallow lined tidal rivers bays southern queensland new_south_wales yellow brown olive ray grows diamond shaped pectoral fin disc smooth whip like tail bearing dorsal ventral fin additionally identified long narrow nostrils row estuary gained consuming farmed mainly feeds crustaceans worms viviparous young sustained term maternal milk common species apparently declined range likely combination habitat degradation mortality commercial recreational fishing persecution farmers result assessed vulnerable taxonomy reference estuary scientific literature probably record 19th century english naturalist feeding queensland estuary species formally described australian volume based specimen collected specific epithet means rivers latin description estuary diamond shaped pectoral fin disc wide long gently convex anterior margins broadly rounded outer corners snout wide triangular point small widely spaced eyes immediately followed long narrow nostrils short broad skirt skin weakly fringed posterior margin small bow shaped mouth surrounded deep furrows contains row floor pair tiny set apart teeth small arranged pavement like surfaces pairs gill slits beneath disc pelvic fins relatively large tail measures twice long disc broad flattened base upper surface spines past spines tail quickly whip like bears developed keel long low fin fold beneath wide patches small dermal denticles flattened crowns eyes middle row enlarged progressively longer reach base sting aside base tail smooth species yellowish greenish brown disc margins past tail spine white grows possibly reaches width maximum recorded weight distribution habitat range estuary spans approximately australia eastern coast queensland new_south_wales common southern queensland including species suspected disappeared 1880s recent observations shown case additional species records new_guinea probably represent primarily freshwater habitat requirements estuary appear stringent significant numbers found particular locations prefers tidal rivers flats bays lined sandy muddy bottoms species rarely found outside sheltered areas recorded depth offshore waters inhabits marine waters able tolerate fresh water known swim limit high tide surface water temperatures range vary north south species size sex biology ecology despite reputation farmed estuary diet fact consists mainly crustaceans worms important prey species soldier crab ray observed entering rising tide forage food known parasites estuary include chin like estuary exhibits developing embryos sustained initially yolk later milk produced mother females probably produce offspring year courtship male follows female bites disc observed night water approximately deep july october measure long young rays caught fresh environments serve males mature seven years age females mature years age maturation size sexes widest known maximum lifespan estimated years males years females human interactions historical evidence strongly suggest abundant estuary declined substantially range commercially utilized faces number threats species captured incidentally commercial fisheries mortality exacerbated practice ray pierced metal bar stick readily caught killed recreational surveys found fishing related effects embedded hooks mutilated tails population habitat degradation major threat estuary especially given habitat range encompasses areas australia extensive land water pollution construction flood barriers rivers finally ray reputation damaging led persecution commercial farmers estuary diminished population multiple threats led assess vulnerable demographic modelling shown likely endangered intervention marine protected areas located range present lack adequate protection fishing ray remains locally abundant parts areas important centers preserving species queensland government listed estuary track species framework facilitate development conservation measures
Estuary stingray