Myliobatis freminvillei Lesueur, 1824
Bullnose eagle ray
Myliobatis freminvillei
photo by Flescher, D.

Family:  Myliobatidae (Eagle and manta rays)
Max. size:  129 cm WD (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 100 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: continental waters from Cape Cod to southeastern Florida (?) in the USA; also southern Brazil to Argentina (Ref. 58839). Reported (but not known for certain) from Gulf of Mexico, Florida and Caribbean islands, and northern South America. Often confused with Myliobatis goodei (Ref. 3173).
Diagnosis:  Disk broad with long sharply pointed wings and projecting snout. Tail very long, Few middorsal spines on disk in adults (Ref. 7251). Greyish, reddish chocolate or dusky brown above. Lower surface either pure white or whitish. Teeth green (Ref. 6902).
Biology:  Found frequently in coastal waters to 10 m depth, mainly in shallow estuaries. Capable of traveling long distances, occasionally leaps out of the water. Swims in midwater. Cruises slowly over the bottom, rooting out bivalves with its beak and wings when feeding (Ref. 7251). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 21 June 2019 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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