ANIMAL SPECIES:White-spotted Eagle Ray, Aetobatus narinari (Euphrasen, 1790)
The White-spotted Eagle Ray has an angular shaped disc with white spots on the upper surface. This species grows to at least 3.5 m disc width and 8.8 m total length and occurs worldwide in tropical, coastal waters.
Identification
The White-spotted Eagle Ray has an angular shaped disc with white spots on the upper surface. The snout can vary in shape from spade-like in juveniles to pointed in large individuals (P. Last, CSIRO. pers. comm.). The whip-like tail has 2-6 spines.
Current research on this species may reveal that what is currently being called the White-spotted Eagle Ray may in fact be several species.
Size range
The species grows to at least 3.5 m disc width and 8.8 m total length.Distribution
The White-spotted Eagle Ray occurs worldwide.
In Australia it is known from central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to the central coast of New South Wales.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of White-spotted Eagle Ray specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
The White-spotted Eagle Ray occurs worldwide in tropical, coastal waters.
Classification
- Species:
- narinari
- Genus:
- Aetobatus
- Family:
- Myliobatidae
- Order:
- Myliobatiformes
- Class:
- Chondrichthyes
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- 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.
- Johnson, J.W. and Couper, P.J. 1998. Flotsam (p. 20-21). in Davie, P. (Ed). Wild Guide to Moreton Bay. Wildlife and Habitats of a beautiful Australian Coast – Noosa to the Tweed. Queensland Museum . Pp. 408.
- Last, P.R. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
- Last, P.R. & J.D. Stevens. 1994 Sharks and Rays of Australia. CSIRO. Pp. 513.
- Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
- Oh, J., Kim, S., Kim, C.-G., Soh, H.Y., Jeong, D. & Y.-H. Lee. 2006. The first record of Long Headed Eagle Ray, Aetobatus flagellum (Pisces: Myliobatidae) from Korea. Ocean Science Journal. 41(1): 53-57.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
- Whitley, G. P., 1940. The Fishes of Australia. Part I. The Sharks, Rays, Devilfish and other Primitive Fishes of Australia and New Zealand. Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Sydney. Pp. 280.
Would you like to add a comment?
Sign up to add comments and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.
Would you like to add a tag?
Sign up to add tags and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.
White-spotted Eagle Ray, Aetobatus narinari View full size
Ian Shaw
© Ian Shaw
Tooth plate from an eagle ray View full size
Jackie Corlass
© Jackie Corlass, NSW Marine Parks Authority
what's on
28 Jun 08
Get up close to some of Australia's most deadly creatures.
Level 2, Surviving Australia Exhibition
Support us
Help us continue to provide quality research, education, community programs and exhibitions.
Online Shop
Featuring a selection of products relating to the collections.
Australian Museum Members
Join today to come to the Museum for free and enjoy many other benefits.
AMBS
Australian Museum Business Services - Ecological, archaeological and heritage consulting.
Museum as a Venue
We have many unique venues ideal for dinner, cocktails, weddings and conferences.