Hypanus sabinus
No common name
Collection Details
Specimens
Photos
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Records
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fishes)
Myliobatiformes (Stingrays)
Dasyatidae (Whiptail Stingrays)
Hypanus
Hypanus sabinus
Description
This species account was compiled from
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Characters
Body shape: other. Prominent triangular snout. Broadly rounded outer corners of disc. Upper surface brown or yellowish brown, paler toward margins of disc. Lower surface white (Ref. 6902). Few scapular spines. Middorsal row of spines present, but few on tail beyond pelvic fins (Ref. 7251).
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Chesapeake Bay to southern Florida in the USA and the Gulf of Mexico. Records from South America doubtful (Ref. 7251).
Habitat Associations
Freshwater, brackish, marine. demersal. depth range 2-25 m. Found in: streams, estuaries.
Biology
Adults inhabit coastal waters, including estuaries and lagoons (Ref. 12951) and ascend rivers (Ref. 12951). They feed on tube anemones, polychaete worms, small crustaceans, clams, and serpent stars (Ref. 12951). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Parturition occurs in July and August (Ref. 27549). Litters of 2-3 pups; gestation 4 months (Ref. 114953).
Max length: 61.0 cm WD; common length: 27.0 cm WD; max weight: 4870 g.
Reproductive mode: dioecism; fertilization: internal (oviduct); bearers (internal live bearers); parental care: maternal. Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, fat or protein through specialised structures (Ref. 50449). Distinct pairing with embrace (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC), assessed 2019-06-21. Resilience: Very low (K=0.26-0.31; Fec assumed <10).
Commercial or Environmental Importance
Fisheries: of no interest.
References
Breder, C.M. and D.E. Rosen (1966) Modes of reproduction in fishes. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, New Jersey. 941 p.
Bigelow, H.B. and W.C. Schroeder (1953) Sawfishes, guitarfishes, skates and rays. p. 1-514. In J. Tee-Van et al. (eds.) Fishes of the western North Atlantic. Part two. New Haven, Sears Found. Mar. Res., Yale Univ.
Robins, C.R. and G.C. Ray (1986) A field guide to Atlantic coast fishes of North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, U.S.A. 354 p.
Michael, S.W. (1993) Reef sharks and rays of the world. A guide to their identification, behavior, and ecology. Sea Challengers, Monterey, California. 107 p.
Florida Museum of Natural History (2005) Biological profiles: Atlantic stingray. Retrieved on 26 August 2005, from www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/AtlanticStingray/Atlanticstingray.html. Ichthyology at the Florida Museum of Natural History: Education-Biological Profiles. FLMNH, University of Florida.
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