Black Spotted Stingray - Taeniura meyeni

The black Spotted Stingray (Taeniura meyeni) is a species of stingray in the family Dasyatidae, found throughout the nearshore waters of the tropical Indo-Pacific, as well as off islands in the eastern Pacific. Pastinaca Trigone macchie nere Taeniura meyeni intotheblue.it

It is a bottom dwelling inhabitant of lagoons, estuaries, and reefs, generally at a depth of 20–60 m. Reaching 1.8 m across, this large ray is characterized by a thick, rounded pectoral fin disc covered by small tubercles on top, and a relatively short tail bearing a deep ventral fin fold. In addition, it has a variable but distinctive light and dark mottled pattern on its upper surface, and a black tail.

Dasiatids are characterized by a flat rhomboid body, with a lateral margin of the head that continues with the anterior margin of the large pectoral fins in the shape of wings. The largest species reach 4 m in length. The eyes are placed on the back, the mouth is ventral. The dorsal fin is absent or barely sketched. The tail is thin and long, and is equipped with a poisonous sting; in larger specimens, the spine can reach 35-40 centimeters in length, has a serrated profile and is covered by an epithelial sheath.

At the root of the spine there are two venom glands that secrete a substance composed of the 5-nucleotidase and phosphodiesterase enzymes, which destroy cells, and serotonin, which causes muscle contractions. The action of this enzymatic complex is necrotizing and this is combined with the possibility of even serious bacterial infections.

(extract from Wikipedia)

Pastinaca Trigone macchie nere Taeniura meyeni intotheblue.it