Common
Names: Kapala Stingaree, Banded
Stingaree.
Latin Name:
Urolophus
kapalensis.
Family:
Urolophidae
Identification:
Oval
disc slightly wider than long.
Dorsum mid brown or grey with indistinct thin dark band in front of eyes
parallel to anterior margin. Wider darker band across eyes. Third band blends
into two dark diagonal patches. Occasional small white spots. Small
dorsal fin in front of tail spine. Lateral skin folds on sides of tail. Tail
roughly equal to disc length.
Size:
Maximum
length approx 40cm.
Habitat: To 45m.
Near or under rocky reefs and on sand and sea grass flats.
Abundance
and distribution:
Southern Queensland to southern New South Wales, Australia.
Reproduction:
Ovoviviparous.
Vulnerability: Listed by the IUCN as near
threatened.
Photographs:
Merimbula, NSW, Australia.
Similar
species: Often mistaken for the
crossback stingaree Urolophus cruciatus
which has similar but more distinctly cross shaped markings. Also similar to the
oval stingaree described from Western Australia.
Reaction
to divers: Fairly easily
approached with slow movements.
Diving
logistics: Although recently
reported in Queensland this species is usualy encountered by divers in southern NSW.
Often found on sand flats adjacent to reefs.
Other
diving locations submitted by readers:
Marine Biologist Dave Harasti photographed the Kapala Stingaree at a dive site named The Pipeline in Port
Stevens, NSW.
References
and further reading:
Sharks and Rays of Australia. Peter Last. CSIRO.
Sharks and Rays Scott Michael
IUCN red list of endangered species.
