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Tapajos River Stingray: Potamotrygon albimaculata

Family: Potamotrygonidae
Common names

Tapajos River Stingray, Itaituba Ray, Whitespotted Freshwater Stingray.

Binomial

Potamotrygon albimaculata.

Synonyms

None.

Identification

A medium to large sized freshwater stingray with an oval disc that is slightly longer than wide. Snout broadly rounded with or with a small central lobe. Eyes small and somewhat pronounced. Spiracle length ≥2x orbit length. Nostrils thin. Nasal curtain skirt-shaped. Mouth small and slightly arched with 5 oral papillae.
Small denticles on central disc. Denticles sparser towards disc margin. Pelvic fin posterior margins slightly posterior to (or level with) disc. Tail shorter than disc width, broad anteriorly, slender towards tip. Dorsal, lateral, and ventral finfolds present. Tail beyond broad anterior section often damaged or absent. Multple rows of low thorns dorsally on tail. Caudal stings well developed.

Colour

Dorsum black or brownish black with numerous small white or cream spots. White spots smaller towards disc margin. In larger adults, spots may break up into irregular clusters of small spots and whorls on a white flecked black background. Tail solid black distally.
Ventrum mostly dark greyish brown except for white central disc and snout.

Size

Maximum disc width 50cm. Disc width at birth approximately 10cm.

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.

Conservation Status

NOT ASSESSED

The Tapajos River Stingray (Potamotrygon albimaculata) has not been assessed by the IUCN. However, all potamotrygonid rays are facing habitat degradation, fishing pressure, and stress from collection for the aquarium trade.

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.
Habitat

Tropical freshwater lakes and river systems. The Itaituba river stingray is more common in the deeper central troughs of rivers but is also found along the banks.

Distribution

South America. The Tapajos Freshwater Stingray is found in the mid to upper section of the Tapajos River basin. It is common in the Teles Pires River and its tributaries.

Reproduction

Viviparous. 2 pups per litter. Gestation period 4 months.

Diet

Diet consists of insects and small fishes.

Behavior

Poorly known.

Reaction to divers

Fairly easy to observe while snorkeling, but generally bolts or slowly moves away when approached closely.

Diving logistics

The best place to snorkel with Tapajos River Stingrays is in the clear, spring fed tributaries of the Teles Pires River in southern Para.

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.
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Tapajos River Stingray 030

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.
View Larger

Tapajos River Stingray 026

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.
View Larger

Tapajos River Stingray 022

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.
View Larger

Tapajos River Stingray 021

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.
View Larger

Tapajos River Stingray 017

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.
View Larger

Tapajos River Stingray 015

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.
View Larger

Tapajos River Stingray 009

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.
View Larger

Tapajos River Stingray 007

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.
View Larger

Tapajos River Stingray 006

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.
View Larger

Tapajos River Stingray 002

Tapajos River Stingray, Potamotrygon albimaculata. Aka Itaituba freshwater stingray or whitespotted freshwater stingray. Widespread in the Tapajós River and Teles Pires River in Brazil, South America.

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