Common name(s)

Diamond Stingray

Binomial

Hypanus dipterurus

Synonyms

Dasyatis dipterura, Dasyatis dipterurus, Dasyatis hawaiensis, Dasyatis hawaiiensis, Dasybatis dipterura, Dasybatis dipterurus.

Identification

A large stingray with a vaguely kite-shaped disc that is slightly wider than long; disc width approximately 1.1 x length. Snout obtusely angular with a slightly protruding tip. Anterior margins of disc straight or weakly convex. Pectoral fin apices vary from broadly rounded to angular. Pelvic fins large and triangular with rounded apices.
Eyes medium-sized and protruding. Snout length 1.5 x combined eye and spiracle length.
Mouth broad with 5 oral papillae. Deep labial furrows around mouth. Mouth weakly arched. Lower jaw concave at symphysis. Skirt shaped nasal curtain with a weakly fringed margin. Nostrils thin, positioned obliquely.
A row of thorns along midline from nape to caudal tail. Short row of thorns on each shoulder. Tail wide and depressed at base, tapering to end of ventral fold, then filamentous to tip. Tail length (rarely intact) approximately 1.2-1.6 x disc width. Ventral finfold short; length roughly equal to 1/3rd of pre-cloacal disc length. Dorsal finfold short but prominent. Both caudal folds deeper than adjacent tail. One tail sting usually present.

Colour

Dorsum grey, reddish-brown, or olive grey. Ventrum white, usually with a dusky disc margin. Tail beyond caudal sting often dusky or black; darker in juveniles. Ventral fin fold may be pale or very dark.

Size

Maximum disc width 122cm. Disc width at birth 18-23cm.