ray ray rare species family member genus found tropical west_africa favors sand coral rubble habitats waters depth large heavy bodied species reaching width ray nearly circular plain colored pectoral fin disc thin tail fin uniquely family lacks spine adult ray defend large sharp found disc tail diet ray consists mainly benthic invertebrates bony fishes sea floor viviparous developing embryos milk produced mother ray long valued rough skin leather ornamental purposes cover sword shields caught incidentally coastal fisheries handled carefully commercial significance limited fishing led species declining parts range listed vulnerable taxonomy german marcus described ray work based partial dried skin obtained mumbai india placed genus named meaning latin work described west african form later authors regarded synonymous names published simultaneously uncertainty priority works ray specific epithet placed ray new genus use referring butterfly rays later year replaced names derived ancient greek tail naked unarmed referring lack tail sting common names species include black spotted ray rough skinned ray ray ray species ray currently recognized distribution habitat ray widely distributed uncommon compared share range found continental periphery indian_ocean south_africa southeast_asia western australia including madagascar sri_lanka eastern mediterranean_sea suez_canal pacific_ocean range continues indonesia new_guinea north philippines east fiji south eastern australia species found eastern atlantic_ocean guinea dwelling nature ray found close shore depths inhabits sandy flats coral rubble beds near reefs enters water description pectoral fin disc ray evenly oval wide long thick center giving appearance tip snout rounded barely protruding small eyes closely followed larger narrow nostrils skirt shaped curtain skin posterior margin curtain strongly fringed mouth mouth bears floor prominent furrows corners area mouth including curtain heavily covered tooth rows jaw teeth small flattened pairs gill slits located underside disc pelvic fins small narrow thin rapidly tapering tail equal disc length cylindrical cross section fin tail spine unlike members family dense patch flattened heart shaped dermal denticles covers center disc extends tail larger individuals additionally numerous tall sharp entire upper surface disc ray plain light dark gray brown tail tip white large species grows long reach biology ecology ray observed lying open inside caves known form groups reef diet consists primarily worms crustaceans bony fishes feeding deeply excess sediment visible long distance away parasites documented ray include ray viviparous developing embryos sustained term milk mother forests serve important habitat juvenile rays males females mature sexually respectively human interactions despite having sting ray capable injuring humans sharp reportedly bold tolerant approached closely underwater tough skin ray form leather called historical uses particular cover melee weapons extremely rough texture prevented battle example japanese deemed species skin acceptable covering sword cover shields skin chinese dyed ground yield pattern native inhabitants dried portions ray tail like tool presently ray caught incidentally nets beach skin continues highly valued meat utilized places red_sea liver eaten seasonal dish economic importance ray limited difficult handle multi species coastal fisheries catch ray largely resulted dramatic decline local extinction likely range potential additional threats species include habitat degradation coastal development food supply result assessed vulnerable
Porcupine ray