Aetobatus ocellatus
Species of fish
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The ocellated eagle ray or the whitespotted eagle ray, Aetobatus ocellatus, is a species of cartilaginous fish in the eagle ray family Myliobatidae. It is found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific region.[2][3] In the past it was included in the spotted eagle ray (A. narinari), a species restricted to the Atlantic after the split.[4][5][6]
| Aetobatus ocellatus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Aetobatus ocellatus in the Maldives | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Order: | Myliobatiformes |
| Family: | Aetobatidae |
| Genus: | Aetobatus |
| Species: | A. ocellatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Aetobatus ocellatus (Kuhl, 1823) | |
Description and behavior
Compared to the spotted eagle ray, A. ocellatus has a longer tail (mean total length 281 vs. 263% DW) and a longer stinging spine (mean length 9.7 vs. 8.9% DW). The background coloration of the dorsal surface in A. ocellatus is dark greenish/greying to almost blackish whereas A. narinari is much paler, medium yellowish to brownish.[4] Their foraging range is based on anthropogenic noises with populations structured according to ontogenetic stage.[7]
Reproduction
The ocellated eagle ray exhibits ovoviviparity with embryos feeding on yolk initially, then receiving additional nutrients from the mother through indirect absorption of enriched uterine fluid.[8] The gestation period lasts over 12 months and only produces a few pups.[9]
Diet
The ocellated eagle ray feeds primarily on gastropod, bivalve molluscs, crustaceans, worms, octopuses and fishes.[10]