Spiny butterfly ray (Gymnura altavela) fish species and information / pictures of Spiny butterfly ray - Gymnura altavela

Spiny butterfly ray (Gymnura altavela) fish species information

Scientific Name
Gymnura altavela

Common Name
Spiny butterfly ray

Biology
Tail short armed with spine. Disk very broad. Very low dorsal and ventral finfolds on tail (Ref. 7251). Disk dark brown to grayish, lower surface of disc and of pelvic fins white, brownish, rosy or rusty cast. Tail white or rosy white below (Ref. 6902).

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Skates and Rays (Rajiformes)

Family

Butterfly rays (Gymnuridae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: southern New England, USA, Brazil (Ref. 7251) to Argentina (Ref. 58839). Eastern Atlantic: Portugal to Ambriz, Angola (including the Mediterranean, Black Sea, and the Madeira and Canary islands).

Range

44°N - 35°S

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

5 m

Depth To - meters

100 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 5 - 100 m (Ref. 6808)

Trophic Level

4.5 s.e. 0.21 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

400 cm

Common Length

200 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5001 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (51 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Fec 4-7)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU) (A2bd+4bd)