spiny butterfly ray
| Scientific name | Gymnura altavela |
|---|---|
| Descriptor | Linnaeus |
| Year of description | 1758 |
| IUCN category (World) | EN |
| Family | Gymnuridae |
| Genus | Gymnura |
Introduction
Gymnura altavela, commonly known as the "spiny butterfly ray" or "winged eagle ray", is a benthic elasmobranch. It can be found in tropical marine and brackish waters along the Eastern and Western Atlantic coasts, in the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea.
The spiny butterfly ray has a small venomous spine at the end of its thin, short tail. This species is categorized as "endangered", as it is often caught as bycatch in trawl fishing.
Who is it?
Morphology
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Type
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Average size200 cm
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Maximum size400 cm
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Longevity18 year
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Mimicrysand
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Patterncircle pattern
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Type
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Average size200 cm
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Maximum size400 cm
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Longevity18 year
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Mimicrysand
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Patterncircle pattern
How to recognize the spiny butterfly ray ?
The body of the spiny butterfly ray is very wide and disc-shaped, wider than it is long. The posterior side is generally dark brown with small light-grayish eyespots. The underside of the disc and pelvic fins is white with brown hues, giving it a "rusty" appearance.
The snout is short and rounded, the eyes are oval. The mouth, gills, and nostrils are ventrally positioned. The eyes and spiracles are dorsally positioned. The tail is short, white or pinkish, and equipped with a spine.
Sexual dimorphism
There are no significant morphological differences between males and females.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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dietcarnivorous
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Sociabilitysolitary
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territorialNo
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Way of livingdiurnal
Gymnura altavela is a carnivorous predator that feeds on fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and plankton. It hunts in sandy and muddy areas near the coast.
The spiny butterfly ray is usually not aggressive, but it may use its spine for defense if necessary. It is advisable to be cautious not to step on it.
Reproduction
The Gymnura altavela is a viviparous fish. Reproduction is aplacental.
Harmless species
This species does not pose a major threat to humans, but the spine of Gymnura Altavela could cause intense pain if encountered.
Where to find it?
Conservation status of populations (IUCN)
Geographic distribution & Conservation
The Gymnura altavela can be found along the Eastern and Western Atlantic coasts, in the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea.
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature15 - 28 °C
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Depth5 - 100 m
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EnvironmentFree benthic
Biotope presentation
The spiny butterfly ray is typically found at depths less than 100 meters. This benthic fish prefers sandy-muddy bottoms, estuaries, and lagoons.
To go further
To read on the web
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Aurélien Calas
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Bibliographic references
Nouvelle description de Gymnura altavela (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pisces, Rajiformes, Gymnuridae). - Christian CAPAPE - Bulletin de l'Institut National Scientifique et Technique d'Océanographie et de Pêche de Salammbo - 1981.
Age and growth assessment of western North Atlantic spiny butterfly ray Gymnura altavela (L. 1758) using computed tomography of vertebral centra - K.T. Parsons - Environmental Biology of Fishes - 2017.
Captive husbandry and bioenergetics of the spiny butterfly ray,Gymnura altavela (Linnaeus) - Alan Henningsen - Bulletin de l'Institut National Scientifique et Technique d'Océanographie et de Pêche de Salammbo - 1996.
Scientific partners
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