Banded Stingaree, Urolophus cruciatus (Lacépède, 1804)

Scientific name: Urolophus cruciatus
Alternative name/s:
Crossback Stingaree
Banded Stingaree, Urolophus cruciatus Click to enlarge image
A Banded Stingaree at a depth of 5m, Penguin Island, off Bruny Island, Tasmania, March 2012. Image: Sascha Schulz
© Sascha Schulz

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Urolophus
    Species
    cruciatus
    Family
    Urolophidae
    Order
    Myliobatiformes
    Class
    Chondrichthyes
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to about 50 cm in length.

Introduction

The Banded Stingaree is an Australian endemic. It can be recognised by its distinctive colouration.

Identification

The species has an obvious pattern of dark stripes and cross bars.

Habitat

It is a coastal species.

Distribution

The species occurs along the south-eastern Australian coast from southern New South Wales to eastern South Australia including Tasmania.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Last, P.R. & J.D. Stevens. 2009. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Edition 2. CSIRO. Pp. 644, Pl. 1-91.