species family found shallow waters northeastern australia small thin bodied ray maximum width diamond shaped pectoral fin disc row tiny relatively short whip like tail upper lower fin upper surface color pattern consisting black spots brownish light yellow brown background favoring soft habitats dwelling predator consuming mainly crustaceans particularly shrimp worms viviparous litter sizes females supply developing young milk gestation frequent fisheries common significant portions population appear lie waters result assessed concern taxonomy phylogeny thought color painted recognized distinct species based molecular data collected project described peter commonwealth scientific publication account based specimens female caught queensland designated specific epithet derived latin painted colored phylogenetic analysis mitochondrial nuclear dna found painted sister species estimated diverged description thin diamond shaped pectoral fin disc roughly times wider long slightly concave leading margins narrowly rounded outer corners snout forms angle pointed tip small closely spaced eyes followed crescent shaped nostrils elongated skirt shaped curtain skin posterior margin curtain fringed forms small mouth surrounded bears prominent furrows corners floor mouth teeth number rows upper jaw rows lower teeth small vary pointed blunt pairs gill slits shaped pelvic fins medium sized triangular angular corners whip like tail measures times long disc bears slender spines upper surface smaller rays usually sting larger rays tail moderately broad flattened base thin sting upper lower fin present past sting upper fold shorter lower small closely spaced skin smooth species light yellow brown darker pattern vary faint obvious numerous black spots like species dark marking eyes resembles mask tail pattern bands sting tip white ventral fin fold black underside plain white species reaches distribution habitat range extends coast northeastern australia queensland western boundary range uncertain found new_guinea unconfirmed species extremely common areas gulf benthic fish usually found inner continental shelf water deep occur favors habitats sandy fine substrate biology ecology prefers pick prey surface substrate opposed digging shrimp far important food source worms rarely small bony fishes compared smaller rays larger rays varied diet incorporates greater proportion worms reproduction viviparous like developing embryos initially yolk later milk provided mother mature females single functional left females birth litters pups probably year males females reach sexual maturity respectively maximum lifespan years males years females human interactions lacks economic value discarded fisheries caught incidentally small size benefit particular species accounts approximately total catch gulf half rays caught including males fatally crushed despite mortality believed negatively affected local population operational area include waters species abundant caught frequently operated range fishing pressure relatively light external factors fuel prices listed species concern remains common range includes marine protected areas
Peppered maskray