Common
Names:
Jenkins' whipray, Roughback stingray
Latin
Name:
Himantura jenkinsii
Family:
Dasyatidae
Identification:
Rhomboid
disc with rounded tips. Anterior margin almost straight.
Dorsum yellowish to brown to tan sometimes with richer mottling towards edges
and a distinct white margin. Tail whip-like with no finfolds tapering to a dark
grey or black. One to three barbs. Row of enlarged denticles running from behind
head along tail.
Size:
Max
disc width 105cm
Habitat:
Prefers coastal lagoons with sandy or silty bottoms. Sometimes
found adjacent to rocky reefs.
Abundance
and distribution: Indo Pacific region from Southern Africa to
Australia.
In Australian waters from
Coral bay around the north coast to Cape Tribulation.
Behavior:
Reproduction:
Ovoviviparous
Observations:
Photographs:
Exmouth Navy Pier, W.A.
Similar species: The Australian
book of Fishes lists a similar species living in the region. In the text of this
book the Jenkins' whipray is listed as having a distinctive white tail barb.
This suggests that the species photographed above may in fact have been
misidentified.
Reaction to divers: I
found this ray milling around under a school of baitfish. It was
fine with my presence until I approached within a few feet.
Diving
logistics: Often spotted at the pier in Exmouth, W.A.
and at other reef dives in the area.
Contact Exmouth Dive Centre for more information.
Other diving locations submitted by
readers:
Further
reading:
Sharks
and Rays - Elasmobranch Guide of the World. Ralf M. Hennemann. IKAN.
