Not just a huge collection of Shark Pictures: Elasmodiver.com contains images of sharks, skates, rays, and a few chimaera's from around the world. Elasmodiver began as a simple web based shark field guide to help divers find the best places to encounter the different species of sharks and rays that live in shallow water but it has slowly evolved into a much larger project containing information on all aspects of shark diving and shark photography.

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Shark picture - green sawfish

SINCLAIR'S STINGAREE

Photograph copyright Andy Murch

View more Sinclairs Stingaree Pictures in the Shark Pictures Database

Common Names: Sinclair's stingaree, Spotted stingaree, Sinclairs stingray, Circular stingaree.

Latin Name: Urolophus sp. or possibly Urolophus gigas.

Family: Urolophidae

Identification: Disc circular with small point on snout. Light grey dorsum with dark patches. Light ringed spot at centre of central dark patch on back surrounded by a circle of light ringed spots. More dark and light spots moving outwards but fading towards disc margin. Vague spots extend along tail. This may be the western color variation of the Spotted stingaree (Urolophus gigas), a juvenile version of U. gigas, or a distinct species.

Size: Maximum length at least 60cm.

Habitat: 5 - 120m. Occasionally seen on rocky offshore reefs.

Abundance and distribution: Rottnest Island south to Esperance, Western Australia.

Behavior: Remains motionless on reef during the day.

Reproduction: Ovoviviparous.

Observations:

Photographs: Albany, Western Australia.

Similar species: Circular stingaree - Urobatis circularis has similar ringed spots but is distingiushed by lack of dark bat-shaped patches. Also shares its range with the Spotted stingaree - Urolophus gigas (distinguished by broken spots on more uniform background). May be a color variant of the same species.

Reaction to divers: Very patient when approached closely on rebreather.

Diving logistics: Divers occasionally encounter this species while exploring Michaelmus and Breaksea Islands close to Albany, Western Australia. Uwe at Albany Dive runs daily charters to the islands and is always willing to help look for sharks and rays.

Other diving locations submitted by readers:

References and further reading:

Sharks and Rays of Australia. Peter Last. CSIRO.

Reef Sharks and Rays of the World. Scott W. Michael. Sea Challengers.

Sharks and Rays - Elasmobranch Guide of the World. Ralf M. Hennemann. IKAN.

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