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Cownose ray

Rhinoptera bonasus

Summary 6

The cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus) is a species of eagle ray found throughout a large part of the western Atlantic and Caribbean, from New England, USA to southern Brazil (East Atlantic populations are now generally considered a separate species, R. marginata). Cownose rays grow rapidly, and male rays often reach about 35 inches (89 cm) in width and weigh 26 pounds (12 kg). Females typically reach 28 inches (71 cm) in width and weigh 36 pounds (16 kg).

Description 7

Rhinoptera bonasus is one of fifteen species of elasmobranch fishes recorded in the Indian River Lagoon (Snelson and Williams 1982). The dorsal side is brown to olive lacking spots or other markings. The ventral side of the cownose ray is white or yellowish-white with brown edges. The pectoral fins, sometimes referred to as wings, are long and pointed. The square shaped projecting snout has an indentation in the center giving the impression that it is bi-lobed. Two small fins (rostra) project from the head. The mouth is small and located on the ventral side of the ray. The tail is whip-like with a spine at the base just posterior to a small dorsal fin. A defensive venomous barb is located at the base of the spine. Species of cownose ray are sometimes only distinguishable by the morphology and number of teeth.

Biology 8

An oceanic species sometimes found near the coast (Ref. 5217). Forms segregated schools (Ref. 12951). Jumps occasionally, landing with a loud smack, probably as a territorial display. Migrates south in large schools that disappear off northern Florida, USA and are not reported from Caribbean Is.; tagged fish have been recovered in northern South America (Ref. 7251). Population in the Gulf of Mexico migrates clockwise; schools of up to 10,000 rays leave west coast of Florida for Yucatan, Mexico in the fall (Ref. 7251). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449).

Distribution 9

Western Atlantic: southern New England to northern Florida (USA) and throughout the Gulf of Mexico, migrating to Trinidad, Venezuela, and Brazil

Iucn red list assessment 10


Red List Category
NT
Near Threatened

Red List Criteria

Version
3.1

Year Assessed
2006

Assessor/s
Barker, A.S.

Reviewer/s
Kyne, P.M., Fowler, S.L. & Compagno, L.J.V. (Shark Red List Authority)

Contributor/s

Justification
A large (to 107 cm disc width) batoid of shallow marine and brackish waters of the western Atlantic distributed from the northern US to Brazil, including through the Gulf of Mexico. The schooling nature and inshore habitat of this species together with their relatively late maturity and low productivity (generally one young per litter) increases their susceptibility to overexploitation and will limit their ability to recover from population decline. This species is assumed to be highly migratory, but movement patterns are not well known and research into this area is required. Although there is currently no directed fishery for the cownose ray in the US, it has been suggested due to their reputation as a ?pest? species to the shellfish industry. In US waters they are currently taken as bycatch in fisheries employing pound nets, haul seines and shrimp trawls, however, these activities do not pose a significant threat to the species at the present time and the population appears to be healthy. As such the species is assessed as Least Concern in the USA. However, if a fishery for cownose rays is ever established, it could be devastating to the population without proper monitoring. The species is assessed globally as Near Threatened due to heavy (and generally unregulated) fishing pressure on the inshore environment throughout large parts of Central and South America. Although no information is currently available on its contribution to artisanal fisheries in these regions, as a broadly distributed, migratory species inhabiting shallow coastal waters it is most certainly commonly taken either in directed catches or as bycatch. Rhinopterids are regularly landed around the world and heavy pressure on the inshore ecosystem is having negative impacts on congeners of R. bonasus, for example R. javanica throughout Asia and R. brasiliensis in Brazil. Similar adverse population trends are expected for R. bonasus and there is an urgent need to determine the current population status and catch levels.

Fuentes y créditos

  1. (c) 116916927065934112165, algunos derechos reservados (CC BY), subido por 116916927065934112165, https://picasaweb.google.com/116916927065934112165/INaturalist2#5754831491795615746
  2. (c) Biopix, algunos derechos reservados (CC BY-NC), http://www.biopix.com/PhotosMedium/JCS%20Rhinoptera%20bonasus%2035003.jpg
  3. (c) Biopix, algunos derechos reservados (CC BY-NC), http://www.biopix.com/PhotosMedium/Rhinoptera%20bonasus%2000004.JPG
  4. (c) Biopix, algunos derechos reservados (CC BY-NC), http://www.biopix.com/PhotosMedium/Rhinoptera%20bonasus%2000008.JPG
  5. (c) Biopix, algunos derechos reservados (CC BY-NC), http://www.biopix.com/PhotosMedium/Rhinoptera%20bonasus%2000005.JPG
  6. (c) Wikipedia, algunos derechos reservados (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinoptera_bonasus
  7. (c) Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, algunos derechos reservados (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/11526719
  8. (c) FishBase, algunos derechos reservados (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/20978637
  9. (c) WoRMS for SMEBD, algunos derechos reservados (CC BY), http://eol.org/data_objects/28471484
  10. (c) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, algunos derechos reservados (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/28311641

Más información

Range Map

(c) NatureServe, algunos derechos reservados (CC-BY-NC)

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