Aetobatus ocellatus | |
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Aetobatus ocellatus in the Maldives | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Chondrichthyes |
Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
Order: | Myliobatiformes |
Family: | Aetobatidae |
Genus: | Aetobatus |
Species: | A. ocellatus |
Binomial name | |
Aetobatus ocellatus (Kuhl, 1823) | |
The ocellated eagle ray or the whitespotted eagle ray, Aetobatus ocellatus, is a species of cartilaginous fish in the eagle ray family Myliobatidae. It is found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific region. [2] [3] In the past it was included in the spotted eagle ray (A. narinari), a species restricted to the Atlantic after the split. [4] [5] [6]
Compared to the spotted eagle ray, A. ocellatus has a longer tail (mean total length 281 vs. 263% DW) and a longer stinging spine (mean length 9.7 vs. 8.9% DW). The background coloration of the dorsal surface in A. ocellatus is dark greenish/greying to almost blackish whereas A. narinari is much paler, medium yellowish to brownish. [4] Their foraging range is based on anthropogenic noises with populations structured according to ontogenetic stage. [7]
The ocellated eagle ray exhibits ovoviviparity with embryos feeding on yolk initially, then receiving additional nutrients from the mother through indirect absorption of enriched uterine fluid. [8] The gestation period lasts over 12 months and only produces a few pups. [9]
The ocellated eagle ray feeds primarily on gastropod, bivalve molluscs, crustaceans, worms, octopuses and fishes. [10]