Animal Species:Estuary Stingray, Dasyatis fluviorum Ogilby, 1908

The Estuary Stingray usually inhabits estuarine habitats including seagrass meadows and mangrove swamps. It was thought to a be common along the east-Australian coast but its population has declined as its habitat has become increasingly affected by coastal development.

Estuary Stingray, Dasyatis fluviorum

Estuary Stingray, Dasyatis fluviorum
Sam Nerrie © Sam Nerrie

Alternative Name/s

Brown Stingray, Estuary Stingaree, River Stingray

Identification

The species is yellow or brown in colour, with a long tail and a distinctive row of of spines starting at the base of the tail and reach the middle of the back. The disc is rhomboid-shaped.

Size range

The Estuary Stingray grows to a length of around 130 cm.

Distribution

The species occurs in the the Gulf of Carpentaria and along the east coast of Australia south to Sydney, New South Wales. Records of the species from New Guinea appear to be a mis-identifications.

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.

Dasyatis fluviorum

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Estuary Stingray specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

Estuaries with significant mangrove forests.

Conservation Status

The Estuary Stingray is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

Conservation Status (IUCN): VULNERABLE (VU)

What does this mean?

Classification

Species:
fluviorum
Genus:
Dasyatis
Family:
Dasyatidae
Order:
Myliobatiformes
Class:
Condrichthyes
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

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.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Sascha Schulz
Last Updated:

Tags fish, ichthyology, Estuary Stingray, Dasyatis fluviorum, Dasyatidae, Myliobatiformes, ray, marine, adult, estuaries, seagrass meadows, mangrove swamps, Brown Stingray, River Stingray, yellow, brown, long tail, distinct spines, rhomboid-shaped disc, > 1 m, vulnerable, Estuary Stingaree,