by Amica Limosani, Jake New, and Barbara Wueringer
The Mylobatiformes order includes eight families of stingrays, such as Mylobatidae (eagle rays), Urolophidae (round rays), and Dasyatidae (whiptail rays). Mylobatiformes are incredibly diverse but share the common characteristics of flattened disc or diamond-shaped bodies with tapering tails, often armed with venomous spines. Stingrays from this order are found worldwide in warm coastal waters and can either be bottom dwellers or migratory. They exhibit diverse swimming patterns, either undulating their whole bodies in a wave-like motion or flapping their fins to “fly” through the water column.
Spotted Eagle Ray, Aetobatus ocellatus
Behold the stunning Spotted Eagle Ray, Aetobatus ocellatus! Named for the white spots on their dorsal surface, resembling stars in the night sky, these rays are a marvel. With flattened bodies and wing-like pectoral fins spanning up to 3 meters wide, they gracefully navigate the ocean. If you are lucky enough to spot them underwater, you’ll see them swimming acrobatically and often leaping out of the water. Found in shallow coastal waters and coral reefs, they play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem by feeding on crustaceans and small fish.
Ornate Eagle Ray, Aetomylaeus vespertilio
Meet the intriguing Ornate Eagle Ray, Aetomylaeus vespertilio. These rays showcase captivating coloration and intricate patterns, featuring dark bands and spots on their dorsal surface. In tropical and subtropical coastal waters, they gracefully roam shallow bays, lagoons, and coral reefs. With a flattened body and broad, wing-like pectoral fins, they move through the ocean depths with elegance. Yet, encountering them in the wild is a rare thrill—there have been fewer than 60 confirmed sightings worldwide. We have been fortunate enough to have four individuals in our dataset over the years!
Bluebanded eagle ray, Aetomylaus caeruleofasciatus
Introducing the Bluebanded Eagle Ray (Aetomylaus caeruleofasciatus). This majestic ray showcases a yellowish-brown color, beautifully complemented by seven vibrant blue bands adorning its body. Despite its long tail, stretching up to 1.5-1.8 times the diameter width, fear not—it’s spineless! Found in the subtropical and tropical waters of northern Australia, from Hervey Bay to the Dampier Archipelago in Western Australia. We have only ever caught, tagged, and released them once, and they were schooling.
Cownose Ray, Rhinoptera neglecta
What’s cuter than a Cownose Ray, Rhinoptera neglecta? These rays are as unique as their name suggests, with a forehead resembling the nose of a cow. But don’t let their quirky appearance fool you—they’re highly migratory and can travel long distances in massive schools, sometimes numbering in the thousands. Picture the ocean filled with their graceful gliding as they navigate the waters with their flattened bodies and wing-like pectoral fins. And when it comes to dining, they’re true connoisseurs of the seafloor, using their specialized mouths to crush and feast on shellfish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. Unfortunately, the Aussie species is much less understood than its Atlantic counterpart, Rhinoptera bonasus.
Australian Whipray, Himantura australis
Meet the Australian Whipray, Himantura australis! This yellowish-brown whipray is covered in dense brown spots, reticulations, or speckles. Juvenile pups have dark spots forming a reticulated or honeycomb pattern. Commonly found in rivers and estuaries in northern Australia, they’re active hunters of shrimp and small fish. Although once threatened by commercial fishing net bycatch, bycatch reduction devices have decreased accidental captures by 95%!
Black-spotted Whipray, Maculabatis astra
Say hello to the gorgeous Black-spotted Whipray, Maculabatis astra! With distinctive black and white spots adorning their dorsal surface, these beautiful creatures roam the sandy and muddy bottoms of coastal waters across the Indo-Pacific, often near coral reefs and estuaries. Sporting a diamond-shaped body, a long whip-like tail armed with venomous spines, and a triangular snout, they are truly captivating. Growing up to 80cm in diameter, the Black-spotted Whipray is a true marvel of the marine world!
Broad cowtail ray, Pastinachus ater
Meet the Broad Cowtail Ray, Pastinachus ater a fascinating inhabitant of the ocean. This species thrives in sandy intertidal flats, feeding on mollusks and crustaceans while moving with the tides. Juvenile rays seek refuge and food in mangroves to evade predators. Recent genetic analysis has revealed its distinctiveness from cowtail rays, despite similar physical traits.
Freshwater Whipray, Urogymnus dalyensis
Discover the Urogymnus dalyensis (Freshwater Whipray), a magnificent ray with an apple-shaped body, a prominent snout and a long, whip-like tail armed with venomous spines. These rays call the freshwater rivers and estuaries of New Guinea, northern parts of Australia, including Queensland home. Well-adapted to their environment, freshwater whiprays often bury themselves in sand or mud to ambush prey or evade predators. Sadly, like many freshwater elasmobranchs, they face significant habitat degradation, pollution, and overfishing threats. Advocating for effective management plans is especially difficult because there is so little information on this species in the literature.
Brown Whipray, Maculabatis toshi
Meet the Brown Whipray, Maculabatis toshi, a stealthy mesopredator of the ocean! These rays have a greenish-brown body decorated with freckle-like white spot patterns, a long whip-like tail and a uniformly white unders. Find them cruising in tropical and subtropical coastal waters, where they dominate sandy or muddy bottoms near coral reefs and estuaries. With mottled brown coloration, they seamlessly blend into their surroundings, becoming masters of disguise. With a taste for invertebrates and small fish, they’re skilled hunters of the ocean floor.
