Stingray with a kite-shaped disc that is wider than long; snout fairly short and obtusely angular; a thin but prominent, dense denticle band on mid-shoulder; row of pronounced wedge-shaped thorns along midline; pectoral fin with rounded outer margin, pelvic fin small and narrow; dorsal surface uniformly yellowish brown (rarely with small dark spots on disc near tail base), black beyond the tail sting.

Biology

Length: This species grows to a maximum size of about 300 cm in total length and at least 150 cm in disc width (DW). Males are about 75-85 cm DW as they develop, and they are about 23 cm DW at birth. 

Gestation period: Unknown

Littter size: Reproduction is viviparous with histotrophy, unknown litter size.

Life Expectancy: Unknown

Diet: Primarily feed on small fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic invertebrates

Habitat and Distribution

Habitat: Found inshore, on sandy substrates to depths of 50m. Inhabits shallow coastal waters. 

Distribution: Jenkins' Whipray is found in the Indo-West Pacific, from southern Africa to Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. 

Depth: Usually found at less than 50 m depth, but also reportedly to 90 m.

Known landing centres: Thoothukudi, Junglighat, Burmanallah, Wandoor, Dignabad and Malvan

Commerical Value

Bycatch caught in trawl nets is sold in the local market for human consumption.

Threats

Inshore fishing pressure by being caught in commercial fisheries (especially trawlers) are landed and sold as food fish. This species is caught by demersal tangle net, bottom trawls, commercial gillnet and longline fisheries.

References

• Kizhakudan et al. 2018 Field identification of batoids – a guide to Indian species. CMFRI Special Publication (132). ICAR - Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi.