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

KAPALA STINGAREE

Kapala Stingaree

Photograph copyright Andy Murch

More Kapala Stingaree Pictures

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.

HOME LINKS TAXONOMY BOOKS CONTACT

SHARK TRIPS

MORE EXPEDITIONS

SPONSORS

ADVERTISERS