THE ELASMODIVER SHARK AND RAY FIELD GUIDE

 

SHARK GUIDE

SHARK PICTURES

WHAT'S NEW?

SHARK BLOG

MERCHANDISE

SHARK TRIPS

SITE MAP

E-MAIL

 

 SHARK INFO

SHARK & RAY FIELD GUIDE

SHARK PICTURE DATABASE

SHARK TAXONOMY

SHARK

BIOLOGY

SHARK EVOLUTION

SHARK FACTS FOR KIDS

 

SHARK DIVING

SHARK DIVING EXPEDITIONS

SHARK DIVING 101

SHARK DIVING HOTSPOTS

SHARK DIVING STORIES

SHARK FEEDING ADVICE

SHARK

ATTACKS

 

CONSERVATION

SHARKS UNDER THREAT

PREDATORS IN PERIL

 

PHOTOGRAPHY

SHARK PHOTO TIPS

DAILY SHARK IMAGES

 

RESOURCES

SHARK NEWS

SHARK LINKS

SHARK BOOKS

SHARK FILMS

SHARK TERMS

 

WEB STUFF

CONTACT ELASMODIVER

ABOUT ELASMODVR

ANDY MURCH ELASMO GEEK

 

WHAT IS ELASMODIVER?

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.

There are now more than 10,000 shark pictures  and sections on shark evolution, biology, and conservation. There is a large library of reviewed shark books, a constantly updated shark taxonomy page, a monster list of shark links, and deeper in the site there are numerous articles and stories about shark encounters. Elasmodiver is now so difficult to check for updates, that new information and pictures are listed on an Elasmodiver Updates Page that can be accessed here:

WHAT'S NEW?

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.

 HOME     LINKS     TAXONOMY     BOOKS     CONTACT

 

 

 

 SHARK TRIPS

Sawfish Diving
 

MORE EXPEDITIONS

 

 

SPONSORS

 

ADVERTISERS

 

ELASMO-BLOGS

SharkPictures   Shark & Ray Field Guide   SharkPhotography   SharkDiving   Taxonomy   Evolution   Biology   SharkAttacks   Books   Shark Movies   Stories   Extinction   Protection   Updates   SiteMap

 

CONTACT ELASMODIVER

elasmodiver@gmail.com

250-588-8267

P.O.Box 8719 Station Central, Victoria, BC., V8W 3S3, Canada