The Tumbes round stingray (''Urobatis tumbesensis'') is a little-known species of round ray, family

Urolophidae The Urolophidae are a family of rays in the order Myliobatiformes, commonly known as stingarees or round stingrays. This family formerly included the genera '' Urobatis'' and ''Urotrygon'' of the Americas, which are presently recognized as formin ...

, known only from two immature male specimens collected from

estuarine An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of brackish water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea. Estuaries form a transition zone between river environments and maritime environment ...

waters at depths of 1–2 m, and a third specimen collected in 2006 near mangroves. Its range appears to be limited to coastal waters off Tumbes in northern Peru, where it is found partially buried in sand or

mud A MUD (; originally multi-user dungeon, with later variants multi-user dimension and multi-user domain) is a Multiplayer video game, multiplayer Time-keeping systems in games#Real-time, real-time virtual world, usually Text-based game, text-bas ...

. The larger of the original two specimens measured 40.4 cm long and the smaller 15.7 cm. Like other round rays, the Tumbes round stingray has a rounded pectoral fin disc, slightly wider than it is long. The tail is stout, bearing a serrated stinging spine, and terminates in a rounded caudal fin. The

pelvic fin Pelvic fins or ventral fins are paired fins located on the ventral surface of fish. The paired pelvic fins are homologous to the hindlimbs of tetrapods. Structure and function Structure In actinopterygians, the pelvic fin consists of two en ...

s have abruptly rounded tips. The teeth have narrowly oval bases and no elevated cusps. The dorsal surface is covered uniformly by

dermal denticle A fish scale is a small rigid plate that grows out of the skin of a fish. The skin of most jawed fishes is covered with these protective scales, which can also provide effective camouflage through the use of reflection and colouration, as we ...

s on stellate bases, becoming larger towards the midline of the disc; the underside is smooth. There are also thorns on the dorsal surface of the disc and tail. The dorsal coloration consists of ochre vermiculations separating brownish-white oval or circular spots about the size of the eye, becoming more distinct towards the margin of the disc and on the pelvic fins. The denticles and tail spine are ochre-colored, and the underside is light tan with a dark border along the edge of the disc. The coloration, denticles and several proportional measurements distinguish the Tumbes round stingray from other ''Urobatis'' species. Due to its highly restricted distribution and shallow inshore habitat, this species merits conservation concern. Information is needed on whether this species is being affected by

fisheries Fishery can mean either the enterprise of raising or harvesting fish and other aquatic life; or more commonly, the site where such enterprise takes place ( a.k.a. fishing ground). Commercial fisheries include wild fisheries and fish farms, both ...

activities in its range.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:stingray, round, Tumbes Tumbes round stingray Marine fish of Ecuador Fish of Peru Tumbes round stingray