Around the world differences in spots (or rings) and distribution once designated subspecies; now they are recognized as 3 separate species (A. ocellatus and A. flagellum in the Indo-Pacific) with a possible 4th species in the Atlantic along with our friend A. narinari. These rays are sometimes referred to as a species complex.
A much smaller ray, the Yellow (Spotted) Stingray; Urobatis jamaicensis, reaches about a 30 cm ‘wingspan’. They are nocturnal, feeding on worms, clams, and small fish; we saw only a few of these but did catch one during a night seine. These rays also give live birth after about 6 months gestation. Groups are know to gather at Mangroves - perhaps breeding?
These rays reemit biofluorescence where blue or ultraviolet light is reemitted as green. The reason for this is not known, camouflage or communication perhaps.
They are supposed to be nocturnal hunters but we saw these rays during the day all over the reef shallows. They spray water over sand to expose prey and my snorkel buddy and I were lucky enough to see one feeding. The tail bard of this species is found around Belize as decoration - it is serrated so don't pull it out if you get stuck with one.
Of all the rays we encountered the Horseshoe Ray, also know as, the Chupare Stingray and the Caribbean Whiptail Ray, was my favorite. This species also has an array of scientific names; Styracura schmardae: Synonyms: Himantura schmardae, Trygon schmardae
It has a distinct (among the rays shown here) rounded body but is nearly straight along the front - see image. Not much is know about the species - even basic population studies are slight and so their conservation status is unknown. Its is not one of the more common rays seen and we saw only two of them.
The unknowns, not just about the Horseshoe Ray but about many of these rays, strikes me: As visible as rays are on the reef we know so little about them - even the common ones.
Here's to more trips to the coral reefs - and to rays.
Love sharks, check out this great shark Blog:
https://sharksinthehumanage.wordpress.com
Info on the revised classification of rays here:
Last, P.R.; Naylor, G.J.; Manjaji-Matsumoto, B.M. (2016). "A revised classification of the family Dasyatidae (Chondrichthyes: Myliobatiformes) based on new morphological and molecular insights". Zootaxa. 4139 (3): 345–368.