Porcupine Ray (species: Urogymnus asperrimus) in Lizard Island Field Guide (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Urogymnus asperrimus
Porcupine Ray


©Vanessa Messmer: Porcupine Ray at Lizard Island.

©Vanessa Messmer: Porcupine Ray feeding at Lizard Island.

©Vanessa Messmer: Closeup of disc behind spiracles showing thorns on Porcupine Ray at Lizard Island
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Elasmobranchii
Order Myliobatiformes
Family Dasyatidae
Genus Urogymnus
Species Urogymnus asperrimus

Colours

    

Distinguishing features

A large ray with a thick, almost circular body covered with small sharp thorns on the upper surface. Tail is thick and round in cross-section at the base, tapers rapidly, and does not have a stinging spine.

Size

  • Up to 120 cm (Disc width)

Depth range

  • Depth range data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Local abundance

  • Lizard Island: Seen occasionally in sand near the bases of reefs.

Web resources

References

  • Last, P.R. and J.D. Stevens (2009). Sharks and Rays of Australia.: 2nd Edition CSIRO Publishing, Australia.