the striped stingaree ( trygonoptera ovalis ) is a common but little-known species of stingray in the family urolophidae , endemic to shallow , inshore waters off southwestern australia .

reaching 61 cm ( 24 in ) long , this species is characterized by an oval , grayish to brownish disc with darker mask-like markings around the eyes and paired blotches at the center of the disc that are extended posteriorly into horizontal lines .

its nostrils have enlarged lobes on the outer margins and a skirt-shaped curtain of skin with a deeply fringed trailing margin in between .

its tail terminates in a relatively large leaf-shaped caudal fin , and bears a small dorsal fin just before the stinging spine .

the rounded , flexible disc of the striped stingaree enable it to maneuver through the rocks , reefs , and seagrass that comprise its favored habitats .

the international union for conservation of nature ( iucn ) has listed this species under least concern ; it is seldom caught by fisheries due to its habitat preferences .

striped stingaree

striped stingaree pictures - trygonoptera ovalis images striped stingray / striped stingaree file size 6 megapixels . more
view more striped stingaree pictures in the shark pictures database common names : striped stingaree , bight stingaree . latin name : trygonoptera ovalis family : urolophidae identification : disc oval without pointed snout . more
striped stingray / striped stingaree images are available for commercial reproduction . please contact elasmodiver for information on licensing fees .
* striped stingaree , trygonoptera ovalis last & gomon , 1987 . * masked stingaree , trygonoptera personata last & gomon , 1987 . * common stingaree , trygonoptera testacea m�ller & henle , 1841 . more
striped stingaree , trygonoptera ovalis . source : rudie h . kuiter / aquatic photographics . license : all rights reserved
this eastern shovelnose stingaree was once unheard of in northern tasmania . now it is abundant .
picture of the striped stingaree has been licensed under a creative commons attribution . original source : ray author cookie monster from australia = = author : cookie monster from australia = = licen
other common names : sting ray , eagle ray , batfish , stingaree , bat sting ray .
the striped stingaree ( trygonoptera ovalis ) is a species of fish in the urolophidae family . it is endemic to australia . its natural habitats are open seas , shallow seas , subtidal aquatic beds , and coral reefs . more
other common names : skippies , oceanic bonito , striped tuna , arctic bonito , watermelon , victor fish .
other common names : bonehead , laguna tuna , magneto , striped tuna , california bonito , ocean bonito .
the small litter is likely due to the relatively large size of stingaree pups , which measure around half the maximum size at birth .
description : the body of the striped bass is elongate and slightly compressed . the head is a narrow , cone - shape , and the mouth is large . the color is greenish above , silvery on the sides , and white below . there are six to nine horizontal blackish stripes on the side . in southern california , the much smaller salema occasionally is mistaken for young striped bass ; the salema , however , has orange - brown stripes and larger eyes than those of striped bass .
mask around each eye and paired dark stripes that run back from behind the head to the tail . it is the most common stingaree seen on inshore reefs off the southern west coast .
description : the body of the striped marlin is elongate and compressed . the upper jaw is much extended , forming a rounded spear . the color is dark blue above becoming silver below , with light blue bars or vertical spots on the sides . of the billfishes that occur in california waters , the striped marlin is difficult to confuse with the others . marlin have scales , fins on the belly , and a rounded spear which set them apart from swordfish which have no scales or ventral fins and have bills that are flat . sailfish have an extremely high dorsal fin not found among the marlins , and shortnose spearfish do not have the long spear on the upper jaw nor the body weight of the marlin . the striped marlin normally develops conspicuous stripes along the sides of its body after death . this feature is unique to striped marlin .
natural history : the barred sand bass diet includes crabs , octopus , squid , and small fishes . the adults aggregate and spawn during warmer months . the eggs are free floating . the striped young appear in southern california nearshore areas and eelgrass beds during fall and winter .
fishing information : most striped marlin are taken by trolling artificial lures in areas they are known to inhabit . blind strikes are generally the rule , but one can occasionally tempt a “finner” or “sleeper” ( marlin swimming along the surface ) to strike if lures are trolled past the fish . live bait also works well but requires more effort since the fish must usually be first spotted visually . once a striped marlin is located , the angler should cast a bait in front of and past the fish so it can be reeled back towards the animal . strikes usually result from properly presented live bait . most striped marlin anglers prefer pacific mackerel as bait . the best california fishing locality is in a belt of water which extends from the east end of santa catalina island offshore to san clemente island and southward in the direction of the los coronados islands .
range : striped bass were brought to california from new jersey in 1879 . they now are found from northern baja california to barkley sound , british columbia . in california , they most commonly are found in the sacramento - san joaquin delta , san francisco bay and adjacent ocean areas .
range : striped marlin occur in tropical and warm temperature waters of the indian and pacific oceans . on the west coast of the united states they range as far north as oregon , but are most common south of point conception , california . they usually appear off california in july and remain until late october .
natural history : the food of striped marlin is predominately fishes , squid , crabs and shrimp . the latter three make up lesser portions of the diet than do fish . the spear of the marlin is sometimes used both as a weapon for defense and as an aid in capturing food . wooden boats frequently have been rammed by billfish , and in one instance the spear penetrated 18 . 5 inches of hardwood 14 . 5 inches of which was oak . when it uses its bill in capturing food , the striped marlin sometimes stuns its prey by slashing sideways with the spear rather than impaling its victim , as some believe .
a greyish to greyish - brown stingaree with dark markings below , in front of , and between the eyes and often a dark stripe on the snout ( obvious on juveniles ) , a pair of sometimes indistinct dark patches on the disc extending as stripes along the disc and tail , a pale midline pale , and a greyish to black caudal fin . the underside is white to yellow with dark margins on the disc and pelvic fins .
fishing information : the pacific staghorn sculpin is attracted to a variety of baits , preferably small invertebrates . it is not highly prized as a food or sport fish . on the other hand , it is a popular bait fish for the san francisco bay delta striped bass sport fishery . caution is recommended when handling this species because the spines located on the gill cover can leave nasty cuts if the fish thrashes around in your hands .
justification : a small to medium sized eastern indian endemic stingaree from southwestern australia ( the state of western australia ) common in shallow water in depths to 43 m . trygonoptera ovalis forms an insignificant component to the bycatch of the scallop and prawn trawl fisheries that operate within its range . this species typically occurs over rocky and reefy areas and is rarely caught by commercial fisheries operating within the area . since there is a large amount of this habitat within its range , this species is not of any great concern from a conservation point of view .
natural history : examination of stomach contents indicate sargo are bottom feeders , eating different small shrimps , crabs , clams , and sea snails . sargo spawn when they are about 7 inches long and 2 years old . spawning occurs in late spring and early summer . the 1 inch young appear in late summer and fall in shallow water , schooling loosely with young salema and black croaker . at a length of 5 inches , when they are about 1 year old , they join adult sargo schools . all through their life they are capable of displaying the striped pattern characteristic of juveniles .
fishing information : by far the largest part of the striped bass catch is made in san francisco bay and the delta . good fishing occurs during late summer , but is best in the fall . stripers occur along the coast only during late spring and summer at which time surf fishermen get a chance at them . a variety of artificial lures and chunks or strips of standard bait fish will attract stripers . the beaches immediately adjacent to the golden gate are generally the best coastal spots , but occasional good runs are encountered as far south as monterey and as far north as bodega bay . in san francisco bay , trolling with live bait is popular , with common catches under 10 pounds .
natural history : examination of stomach contents show that shrimp and anchovies are most important during the summer and fall while a variety of small fishes are eaten during the winter . females usually mature at 5 years of age when about 24 inches long and many males mature at age 2 when about 11 inches long . a 5 pound fish may spawn as many as 25 , 000 eggs in one season ; while a 12 pounder will spawn 1 , 250 , 000 eggs . a 75 pound striper produces as many as 10 , 000 , 000 eggs . striped bass are believed to spawn only in fresh water in which there is an appreciable current . in california , they spawn from march to july with a peak in april and may .
greek , trygon = a sting ray + greek , pteron = wing , fin ( ref . 45335 )
marine ; reef - associated ; depth range 4 - 43 m ( ref . 12951 ) . subtropical ; 26°s - 36°s
maturity : l m ? , range 35 - ? cm max length : 61 . 0 cm tl male / unsexed ; ( ref . 6871 )
found near reefs , sea grass beds , and sandy beaches ( ref . 12951 ) .
last , p . r . and j . d . stevens , 1994 . sharks and rays of australia . csiro , australia . 513 p . ( ref . 6871 )
) : 16 . 8 - 20 . 9 , mean 18 . 2 ( based on 44 cells ) .
phylogenetic diversity index ( ref . 82805 ) : pd 50 = 0 . 5156 [ uniqueness , from 0 . 5 = low to 2 . 0 = high ] .
bayesian length - weight : a = 0 . 01000 ( 0 . 00244 - 0 . 04107 ) , b = 3 . 04 ( 2 . 81 - 3 . 27 ) , in cm total length , based on all lwr estimates for this body shape ( ref . 93245 ) .
trophic level ( ref . 69278 ) : 3 . 6 ±0 . 4 se ; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
resilience ( ref . 69278 ) : low , minimum population doubling time 4 . 5 - 14 years ( assuming fecundity < 100 ) .
vulnerability ( ref . 59153 ) : high to very high vulnerability ( 68 of 100 ) .
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trygonoptera ovalis needs to be compared carefully wih the undescribed trygonoptera spp . ( a and b [ in last and stevens 1994 ] ) to determine relationships between these forms .
endemic to the eastern indian off southwestern australia : found only off the southwestern coast of australia from eucla ( 128°53 ' e ) to the abrolhos islands , western australia ( 28°43 ' s ) ( last and stevens 1994 ) .
trygonoptera ovalis is a common species found over rocky and reefy areas and some seagrass beds in depths of 1 to 43 m ( last and stevens 1994 , w . white pers . obs ) . aplacental viviparous species . attains 61 cm tl and males mature at 35 cm tl ( last and stevens 1994 ) . dietary composition has not yet been examined for this species . life history parameters age at maturity ( years ) : unknown ( both male and female ) . size at maturity ( total length ) : unknown ( female ) ; 35 cm tl ( male ) ( last and stevens 1994 ) . longevity ( years ) : unknown . maximum size ( total length ) : 61 cm tl ( last and stevens 1994 ) . size at birth ( cm ) : unknown . average reproductive age ( years ) : unknown . gestation time ( months ) : unknown . reproductive periodicity : unknown . average annual fecundity or litter size : unknown . annual rate of population increase : unknown . natural mortality : unknown .
very few threats . only a negligible component of prawn and scallop trawl bycatch , for which there is only a small number of boats operating within this fishery . not known to be caught by other fisheries within its range . preference of this species for rocky and reefy areas provides refuge from trawling activities .
none in place . the effective implementation of the australian national plan of action for the conservation and management of sharks ( shark advisory group and lack 2004 ) ( under the fao international plan of action for the conservation and management of sharks : ipoa - sharks ) will help to facilitate the conservation and sustainable management of all chondrichthyan species in australia .
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endemic to western australia , from east of low point , great australian bight to the houtman abrolhos .
disc almost oval , slightly longer than wide ; broadest part 1 to 3 eye diameters behind level of spiracles ; anterior profile obtuse . snout fleshy , tip not extended . eye of moderate size , 17 - 22 % preocular snout length . posterior margin of spiracle rounded or angular . mouth small ; about 4 minute papillae on floor . internasal flap skirt - shaped , posterior angle not extended into distinct lobe . posterolateral border of nostril forming a broad flattened and fleshy lobe . tail broad , rounded in cross - section ; of moderate length , 75 - 100 % disc length ; lateral cutaneous folds absent ; dorsal fin small ; caudal fin relatively large , lanceolate .
dorsal surface greyish to greyish - brown ; dark markings below , in front of and between eyes ; often with a dark stripe extending to snout tip ( obvious on juveniles ) ; paired dark patches near centre of disc extending as stripes posteriorly along disc and tail , sometimes darkish areas obscure ; pale along midline . caudal fin greyish or black . ventral surface white or yellow ; tail and margins of disc and pelvic fins mostly dark .
the specific name is from the latin ovalis ( oval ) , in reference to the distinctive shape of the disc .
trygonoptera ovalis last & gomon 1987 , memoirs of museum victoria 48 ( 1 ) : 63 , fig . 1 . type locality : south of red rocks point , great australian bight , wa [ 32°24´s , 127°30´e ] .
gomon , m . f . , yearsley , g . k . & last , p . r . 2008 . family urolophidae . 125 - 137 pp . in gomon , m . f . , bray , d . j . & kuiter , r . h . ( eds ) .
. sydney , nsw , australia : new holland publishers xvii , 434 pp .
last , p . r & gomon , m . f . 1987 . new australian fishes . part 15 . new species of
last , p . r . & gomon , m . f . 1994 . family urolophidae . pp . 172 - 181 figs 150 - 159 in gomon , m . f . , glover , c . j . m . & kuiter , r . h . ( eds ) .
. collingwood : csiro publishing australia 2 , 550 pp . last , p . r . , yearsley , g . k . & white , w . t . 2016 . family urolophidae pp . 676 - 705 . in : last , p . r . , white , w . t . , de carvalho , m . r . , séret , b . , stehmann , m . f . w . & & naylor , g . j . p . ( eds )
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dorsum mid brown with two , sometimes indistinct , dark patches near midline of back , thinning and extending along tail . smaller dark patches below eyes . small dorsal fin in front of tail spine but no tail folds .
any area with rocky reefs ( especially adjacent to sand ) would be a good place to start . i encountered this ray while diving with dive albany .
sharks and rays - elasmobranch guide of the world . ralf m . hennemann . ikan .
p . o . box 8719 station central , victoria , bc . , v8w 3s3 , canada
found near reefs , sea grass beds , and sandy beaches ( ref . 12951 ) .
kari pihlaviita added the finnish common name
juovakiekkorausku
to
trygonoptera ovalis last and gomon , 1987
.
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yearsley , g . k . , last , p . r . & morris , g . b . 1997 ,
codes for australian aquatic biota ( caab ) : an upgraded and expanded species coding system for australian fisheries databases
, pp . 15 pp . + appendices
urn : lsid : biodiversity . org . au : afd . taxon : 329959a5 - bce3 - 4fe2 - 906d - 93f6e3a03cd8
urn : lsid : biodiversity . org . au : afd . taxon : ccd1335f - 90cd - 480f - 9fca - 45a88a3a4889
urn : lsid : biodiversity . org . au : afd . name : 371784
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the family urolophidae , also known as stingarees , consists of two genera and about 35 species . they are bottom - dwelling rays in warm seas , usually lying partially buried under the sand . their rounded pectoral discs are colored to blend in with the sand , mud , or rocks on which they live . urolophids are relatively small rays , and feed on a variety of invertebrates , small fishes , and crustaceans . their tails , distinguished by the presence of a well - developed caudal fin , are equipped with one or more serrated stinging spines . like other rays they are viviparous ; urolophids give birth to between two and four young each year , or in some cases , every two years . because of their low birth rates and sometimes restricted range , urolophids are susceptible to human activity , although only one species is currently known to be threatened .
böhlke , j . , c . chaplin . 1968 . fishes of the bahamas and adjacent tropical waters . wynnewood , pa : published for the academy of natural sciences of philadelphia by livingston .
compagno , l . 1999 . systematics and body form . pp . 1 - 42 in w hamlett , ed . sharks , skates , and rays . baltimore , md : the johns hopkins university press .
hamlett , w . , t . koob . 1999 . female reproductive system . pp . 398 - 443 in w hamlett , ed . sharks , skates , and rays . baltimore , md : the johns hopkins university press .
last , p . , j . stevens . 1994 . sharks and rays of australia . australia : csiro .
moyle , p . , j . cech . 2000 . fishes : an introduction to ichthyology – fourth edition . upper saddle river , nj : prentice - hall .
nelson , j . 1994 . fishes of the world – third edition . new york , ny : john wiley and sons .
the world conservation union , 2002 .
iucn 2002
( on - line ) . 2002 iucn red list of threatened species . accessed december 03 , 2003 at urltoken .
wheeler , a . 1985 . the world encyclopedia of fishes . london : macdonald .
wourms , j . , l . demski . 1993 . the reproduction and development of sharks , skates , rays , and ratfishes : introduction , history , overview , and future prospects . pp . 7 - 19 in l demski , j wourms , eds . the reproduction and development of sharks , skates , rays , and ratfishes . dordrecht , the netherlands : kluwer academic publishers .
urolophids can be found in the eastern indian ocean , the western pacific , the eastern pacific from california to chile , and the western atlantic , including the caribbean . they are not known in the western indian ocean , the mediterranean , or the eastern atlantic .
urolophids , or stingarees , are rays with a rounded , oval , or rhomboidal disc created by the pectoral fins . the disc is less than 1 . 3 times as broad as it is long . their snouts are confluent with the rest of the disc . from the side they appear relatively flat , with the head not elevated . the spiracles ( respiratory openings ) are close behind the eyes , which are dorsolateral ( above and to either side ) on the head . the mouth is small and located on the underside of the snout , and often has several papillae on its floor . teeth are small and do not form flat crushing plates as in some other rays . there are five pairs of small gill openings , and the internal gill arches do not have filter plates or ridges . some stingarees lack a dorsal fin ; in others the fin is small , located just in front of the sting and behind the pelvic fins . the serrated stinging spine , located about halfway down the tail , is large and functional . a distinguishing feature of these rays is the presence of a moderately large , elongated caudal fin that extends to the tip of the tail . in the genus
. in coloration stingarees range from uniform grayish , yellowish , or brownish , to patterns of spots , reticulations , or dark mask - like bands . their discs may be smooth or covered with small denticles . these rays tend to be small , not more than 76 cm in length .
urolophidae is a marine family , although some members enter estuaries . restricted to tropical and warm temperate waters , urolophids are bottom - dwellers along coastlines and along the continental shelf . most live in relatively shallow water but some occupy depths of at least 700 m down the continental slope . they generally prefer sandy bottoms in which they can bury themselves , but a few species live on rocky substrates ( bottoms ) or in association with sea vegetation such as kelp . urolophids tend to have patterns and coloring that blend in with their environment .
many stingarees feed on fishes , worms , shrimps , and other small organisms they uncover when they flap their pectoral fins along the bottom . some are able to eat hard - shelled mollusks and crustaceans .
in their benthic ( on the bottom ) , warm , usually shallow - water habitat , stingarees affect the populations of prey animals such as invertebrates and small fishes . they in turn are eaten by larger fish and humans .
ray spines , some of them likely belonging to urolophids , have been found embedded in the mouths of many sharks . the great hammerhead
, in particular , appears to specialize in eating stingrays . they use their hammer - shaped heads to knock a ray to the bottom , and then pin the ray , once again with its head , pivoting around to bite the ray’s disc until the ray succumbs and can be eaten . in addition to their defensive venomous sting , most stingarees have cryptic coloring that blends in with the sandy or rocky bottom . some researchers describe stingarees as almost impossible to find unless they move .
urolophidae is prey of : chondrichthyes this list may not be complete but is based on published studies .
myers , p . , r . espinosa , c . s . parr , t . jones , g . s . hammond , and t . a . dewey . 2006 . the animal diversity web ( online ) . accessed february 16 , 2011 at urltoken . urltoken
urolophidae preys on : non - insect arthropods this list may not be complete but is based on published studies .
rays perceive and interact with their environment using sensory channels common to many vertebrates : sight , hearing , smell , taste and touch . rays also belong to a group of fishes , the elasmobranchs , whose electrical sensitivity seems to exceed that of all other animals . elasmobranch fishes are equipped with ampullae of lorenzini , electroreceptor organs that contain receptor cells and canals leading to pores in the animal’s skin . sharks and rays can detect the electrical patterns created by nerve conduction , muscular contraction , and even the ionic difference between a body ( i . e . of prey ) and water . in lab experiments , members of the family urolophidae changed their feeding location according to artificially induced changes in the electrical field around them . other experiments have demonstrated that cartilaginous fishes use electrosensory information not only to locate prey , but also for orientation and navigation based on the electrical fields created by the interaction between water currents and the earth’s magnetic field . although some rays can produce an electric shock to defend themselves or stun prey , members of the family urolophidae cannot . they are able , however , to inflict a venomous sting with their tail spine in defense .
bleckmann , h . , m . hofmann . 1999 . special senses . pp . 300 - 328 in w hamlett , ed . sharks , skates , and rays . baltimore , md : the johns hopkins university press .
members of the family urolophidae , like other rays and their shark relatives , employ a reproductive strategy that involves investing large amounts of energy into relatively few young over a lifetime . once sexually mature , stingarees have only one litter per year , usually bearing two to four young . since few young are produced , it is important that they survive , and to this end rays are born at a large size , able to feed and fend for themselves much like an adult . rays develop from egg to juvenile inside the mother’s uterus , sometimes to almost half their adult size . in this system , called aplacental uterine viviparity , developing embryos receive most of their nutriment from a milky , organically rich substance secreted by the mother’s uterine lining . an embryo absorbs this substance , called histotroph , by ingestion , or through its skin or other specialized structures . researchers have found that in some rays , the stomach and spiral intestine are among the first organs to develop and function , so that the embryo can digest the uterine “milk . ” rays’ eggs are small and insufficient to support the embryos until they are born , although the first stage of development does happen inside tertiary egg envelopes that enclose each egg along with egg jelly . the embryo eventually absorbs the yolk sac and stalk and the histotroph provides it with nutrition . development in the uterus usually takes about three months .
little specific information regarding lifespans in urolophidae was found , but in general rays , like their relatives the sharks , grow and mature slowly and are long - lived .
only a few species of elasmobranchs have been observed during courtship and mating . however , stingarees have a system that involves internal fertilization , so it can logically be inferred that mating communication between male and female must happen to an extent that allows the male to insert at least one of his two claspers ( male reproductive organs that are modifications of the pelvic fins ) into the female’s cloaca to deposit sperm . elasmobranch fishes have relatively complex endocrine ( hormonal ) systems ; based on knowledge of other vertebrates with similar systems , it is likely that females signal to males through chemical or behavioral cues to indicate when their hormonal state is appropriate for mating . in
researchers found that gland secretions seal the open groove on males’ claspers into a closed tube that protects semen from being diluted before it passes into the female . these secretions coagulate on contact with sea water , help transport sperm into the female , and provide lubrication for clasper insertion .
pregnancy in at least some urolophids lasts about three months , generally spanning some period in the spring , summer , and fall . it may take up to two years , however , for the egg follicle to accumulate enough yolk for ovulation ( release of an egg to be fertilized ) as in the case of
. this means that at least some stingarees may have litters only once every two years , but it is likely that other groups within the family give birth on a yearly cycle . within any given group of rays , individuals appear to go through mating , gestation , and parturition ( birth ) at the same time as all the other females in the group . stingarees usually bear between two and four young at a time , after nourishing the embryos with milky fluid ( histotroph ) secreted by the uterus ( see development for a description of this system , called aplacental uterine viviparity ) . in some groups the epithelium , or wall , of the uterus is modified to form trophonemata , elongated villi that extend into the uterine cavity to provide greater surface area for respiratory exchange and histotroph excretion . this advanced system of nourishing young inside the uterus can produce offspring that are relatively large at birth ( see development ) . according to one investigator , a young ray is rolled up like a cigar during birth , which , along with the lubricating histotroph , facilitates the birth of such proportionally large young . the young ray then unrolls and swims away . likewise , sting - bearing young are able to pass out of the mother’s body without stinging her because their stings are encased in a pliable sheath that sloughs off after birth .
no reported evidence of post - birth parental care in urolophidae was found . after such extended nurturing inside their mothers’ bodies , young rays come into the sea quite able to feed and fend for themselves ( see development and reproduction ) .
allen , t . 1996 . shadows in the sea : the sharks , skates , and rays . new york , ny : lyons and buford .
hamlett , w . 1999 . male reproductive system . pp . 444 - 470 in w hamlett , ed . sharks , skates , and rays . baltimore , md : the johns hopkins university press .
helfman , g . , b . collete , d . facey . 1997 . the diversity of fishes . malden , ma : blackwell .
is listed as near threatened . it lives in an area of intense fishing pressure , and females often abort embryos when captured . these factors , along with low fecundity ( they bear only two young at a time ) , making it vulnerable to human activity . other urolophids , sharing these characteristics , may become threatened in the future .
stingarees can cause serious wounds with their tail spines . the serrated spine tip can be difficult to remove without surgery if it breaks off in the wound . because they tend to occupy shallow water and are often colored to blend in with the bottom , they are a hazard to waders . some fishermen walk with a “stingray shuffle” to make the rays swim away without stepping on them and getting stung .
stingarees are seldom used commercially even though large numbers are frequently caught in nets , but several species have edible flesh . some are reported to be “chewy unless prepared properly . ” native peoples in many parts of the family’s range have used ray spines for spear tips , daggers , or whips .
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 forming their own family urotrygonidae . stingarees are found in the indo - pacific region , with the greatest diversity off australia . they are sluggish , bottom - dwelling fish that have been recorded from shallow waters close to shore to deep waters over the upper continental slope . measuring between 15 and 80 cm ( 5 . 9 and 31 . 5 in ) long , these rays have oval to diamond - shaped pectoral fin discs and relatively short tails that terminate in leaf - shaped caudal fins , and may also have small dorsal fins and lateral skin folds . most are smooth - skinned , and some have ornate dorsal color patterns .
stingarees feed on or near the sea floor , consuming small invertebrates and occasionally bony fishes . they are aplacental viviparous , meaning their embryos emerge from eggs inside the uterus , and are sustained to term first by yolk and later by maternally produced histotroph (
uterine milk
) . as far is known , the gestation period lasts around a year and litter sizes tend to be small . stingarees have one or two relatively large , venomous stinging spines on their tail for defense , with which they can inflict a painful wound on humans . generally , stingarees have no economic value . some species form a substantial component of the bycatch of commercial trawl fisheries .
) , which has a rounded disc and no dorsal fin or lateral skin folds on its tail .
stingarees are modestly sized , ranging from 30 to 80 cm ( 12 to 31 in ) long . they have greatly enlarged
in shape . the snout is usually short and does not protrude much from the disc . the eyes are placed atop the disc and usually fairly large ; immediately posterior are teardrop - shaped
openings ) . there is a curtain of skin between the nostrils , formed from the fusion of the anterior nasal flaps , that reaches the mouth . there are varying numbers of papillae ( nipple - like structures ) on the floor of the mouth and sometimes also on the outside of the lower jaw . the teeth in both jaws are small , with rhomboid bases and blunt to pointed crowns ; they are arranged with a
pattern and number less than 50 rows in either jaw . the five pairs of
are found on males . the tail is shorter than to about equal to the disc , either flattened or thickly oval in cross - section , and ends in a leaf - shaped , symmetrical
. one or two relatively large , serrated stinging spines are placed atop the tail about halfway along its length . some species have a small
immediately before the spine , and / or lateral skin folds running along either side of the tail .
stingarees are generally shades of yellow , green , brown or gray above and pale below ; some species are plain , while others are adorned with spots , rings , blotches , lines , or more complex patterns .
studies have shown that stingarees that overlap in range differ in their diet composition , which likely serves to reduce competition . for example , off southwestern australia the
lasts 10–12 months and the litter size is small , no more than one or two in some cases .
stingarees caught from shallow water likely have relatively high chances of survival , but of concern is their tendency to abort any gestating young when captured and handled .
müller , j . and f . g . j . henle ( 1837 ) .
gattungen der haifische und rochen nach einer von ihm mit hrn . henle unternommenen gemeinschaftlichen arbeit über die naturgeschichte der knorpelfische
. bericht akademie der wissenschaften zu berlin 1837 : 111–118 .
müller , j . and f . g . j . henle ( 1838–1841 ) . systematische beschreibung der plagiostomen . veit und comp . p . 173–174 .
mceachran , j . d . , k . a . dunn , and t . miyake ( 1996 ) .
interrelationships of the batoid fishes ( chondrichthyes : batoidea )
. in stiassny , m . l . j . , l . r . parenti , and g . d . johnson . interrelationships of fishes . academic press . pp . 63–84 . isbn 978 - 0 - 12 - 670950 - 6 .
nelson , j . s . ( 2006 ) . fishes of the world ( fourth ed . ) . john wiley . pp . 69–82 . isbn 0 - 471 - 25031 - 7 .
mceachran , j . d . and n . aschliman ( 2004 ) .
phylogeny of batoidea
. in carrier , j . c . , j . a . musick , and m . r . heithaus . biology of sharks and their relatives . crc press . pp . 79–114 .
séret , b . and p . r . last ( 2003 ) .
description of four new stingarees of the genus urolophus ( batoidea : urolophidae ) from the coral sea , south - west pacific
. cybium 27 ( 4 ) : 307–320 .
last , p . r . and j . d . stevens ( 2009 ) . sharks and rays of australia ( second ed . ) . harvard university press . p . 398–428 . isbn 0 - 674 - 03411 - 2 .
last , p . r . and l . j . v . compagno ( 1999 ) .
myliobatiformes : urolophidae
. in carpenter , k . e . and v . h . niem . fao identification guide for fishery purposes : the living marine resources of the western central pacific . food and agricultural organization of the united nations . pp . 1469–1476 . isbn 92 - 5 - 104302 - 7 .
platell , m . e . , i . c . potter , and k . r . clarke ( 1998 ) .
resource partitioning by four species of elasmobranchs ( batoidea : urolophidae ) in coastal waters of temperate australia
. marine biology 131 : 719–734 . doi : 10 . 1007 / s002270050363 .
fowler , h . w . ( 1941 ) .
contributions to the biology of the philippine archipelago and adjacent regions
. bulletin of the united states national museum 100 ( 13 ) : 1–879 .
white , w . t . and i . c . potter ( 2005 ) .
reproductive biology , size and age compositions and growth of the batoid urolophus paucimaculatus , including comparisons with other species of the urolophidae
. marine and freshwater research 56 ( 1 ) : 101–110 . doi : 10 . 1071 / mf04225 .
michael , s . w . ( 1993 ) . reef sharks & rays of the world . sea challengers . p . 91 . isbn 0 - 930118 - 18 - 9 .
trinnie , f . i . , w . t . white , and t . i . walker ( 2006 ) .
photo and id by belinda forbes . so well camouflaged ( and the juveniles in the seagrass even more so ) that belinda forgot it was even in the photo until i asked her about it the next day : )
up to a hundred per school . photos by belinda forbes . just one of the 50 - odd fish species at the groyne this day .
photo and id by belinda forbes . in water a few meters deep at the n . cottlesloe . reef
andrew tobin receives funding from the australian government via the fisheries research & development corporation .
april reside does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .
republish our articles for free , online or in print , under creative commons license .
we know that climate change is driving changes in the world’s oceans . currents are shifting , temperatures are climbing and the availability and dynamics of nutrient upwelling is changing .
the coastal waters of south - eastern australia are a climate change hotspot , warming at a rate three to four times the global average . this is in part due to an increase in the strength and southward penetration of the east australian current ( eac ) , which carries warm water from the tropics down australia’s east coast .
in response , numerous marine species have been documented extending their distributions polewards , affecting the functioning of coastal and marine ecosystems in south - eastern australia . this will have knock on effects for local communities and fisheries , many of which are not well prepared .
with so many species on the move and changes happening so quickly , scientists have enlisted the help of citizen scientists – such as recreational scuba divers and fishers – to help record when , where and how often species are sighted . initiatives such as redmap have helped scientists identify many tropical species shifting their ranges south .
another successful example of citizen science is the new south wales state government’s gamefish tagging program . this world - leading gamefish tagging program , established in 1974 , asks recreational anglers to tag and release gamefish and provide information on the species , size , and release location which is sent back to the department of primary industries ( dpi ) .
more than 400 , 000 fish from at least 20 different species have been tagged , and more than 7 , 000 recaptures recorded .
all black marlin tag release locations recorded in the nsw dpi tagging program within the south - west pacific ocean .
this has enabled us to investigate whether there had been any geographical shifts in suitable habitat for the highly - mobile black marlin ( istiopmax indica ) in the previous 16 years .
the black marlin is one of the most keenly sought gamefish species targeted by recreational anglers in australia , with more than 54 , 000 records of tagged black marlin within the nsw dpi’s database .
an annual aggregation of large adults , some weighing more than 500kg , occurs off the northern great barrier reef each spring , forming the basis of a charter fishery that will celebrate its 50th year of operation in 2016 .
at the other end of the spectrum , juvenile black marlin from 15kg to 40kg undertake an annual migration southward along the east coast in association with the eac .
anglers target these juveniles off cairns and townsville in late winter , south - east queensland in late spring , and port stephens , nsw , in late summer . depending on the behaviour of the eac , juvenile black marlin may even extend as far south as bermagui , nsw , in some years .
but our research , published in october in global change biology , aims to identify any changes in the distribution of marlin habitat through time . we used the release positions of black marlin in the nsw dpi database and satellite - derived data such as sea surface temperature and current velocity .
the extensive spatial and temporal coverage of the tagging data allowed us to model the geographic distribution of black marlin habitat in the south - west pacific for 192 consecutive months from 1998 to 2013 .
we found variability in the location of suitable black marlin habitat across months and years .
on an annual basis , conditions favoured by black marlin occurred off north queensland at the start of spring and gradually shifted south along australia’s east coast from october to april . this coincided with the peak availability of black marlin to recreational anglers and also to a seasonal pulse in the eac .
from may to august , suitable habitat retreats back towards the equator as cold water currents push north over winter . we also identified a strong effect of el niño southern oscillation ( enso ) , with black marlin habitat extending up to 300km further south during la niña phases .
in addition to the large variability on shorter timescales , we also found that suitable marlin habitat has shifted south at a rate of about 88km per decade across all seasons , independently of the influence of enso .
we found that habitat is shifting faster during summer months ( 111km per decade ) in contrast to the rest of the year ( 77km per decade ) . this suggests that suitable habitat is extending south quicker than it is contracting at its northern edge .
poleward shift in the distribution of suitable black marlin habitat across all three seasons from 1998 - 2013 .
this result adds to the growing body of evidence showing that many species’ habitat is shifting polewards in response to climate change .
considering that all highly mobile tuna and billfish species respond to a similar suite of environmental factors , numerous species are likely responding to climate change .
what does this mean for australian fishers , black marlin and similar pelagic species ? these are questions that still need answering .
what is clear from this study is that mobile fish species are not immune from the impacts of climate change , and that long term data sets from recreational fishers are valuable tools in discerning such changes .
this article was co - authored by dr julian pepperell , a marine biologist and an external co - supervisor of honours and phd students , and his jcu honours student nick hill .
little penguins are among a number of species that are threatened by climate change .
marlin and dory plan to hitch a ride to sydney on the east australian current in finding nemo .
we estimate china only makes $ 8 . 46 from an iphone – and that’s why trump’s trade war is futile
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cumberland island an ecological survey of the coastal region of georgia nps scientific monograph no . 3
the following list includes those species of fish that are known from or likely to occur in estuarine and marine waters along the georgia coast seaward to a depth of 10 fathoms . this encompasses waters of the estuary , beach , and
coastal habitat .
in the text the term coastal habitat refers to that region from the ocean beaches to a depth of 10 fathoms as in struhsaker ( 1969 ) . species listed are based primarily on my own records from georgia inshore waters , from south carolina by bearden ( 1961a , 1965 ) , and from the coastal habitat by struhsaker ( 1969 ) . for the benefit of sport fishermen , the common offshore sport fishes are also included . this list is extracted from my manuscript , a field guide to georgia coastal fishes . this manuscript and the paper by struhsaker ( 1969 ) report a large number of additional species that are restricted to deeper waters of the continental shelf ; most of these species occur primarily on reefs .
seasonal records in the text are based on inshore collections , i . e . , beach and estuarine waters .
1 present address : c . w . rice div . , nus corp . , pittsburgh .
the common sharks that occur inshore on the georgia coast are not restricted to well - defined habitats . they may be collected in shallow beach waters as well as deeper waters of the sounds and offshore . most of the sharks considered below prefer warmer waters and leave inshore waters of georgia in the winter . one exception is the spiny dogfish , a northern species that migrates southward to georgia in the winter .
reported from south carolina but not georgia . mainly pelagic but sometimes found inshore .
young are often collected on the south carolina coast in spring and summer and they probably occur on the georgia coast .
stingrays are collected by hook , seine , and trawls in shallow beach waters and deeper estuarine waters .
the range of the devil ray , mobula hypostoma , includes the georgia coast , but it has not been reported from georgia or south carolina .
large specimens are occasionally seen jumping in georgia coastal waters and one reported to weigh 2500 pounds was caught in a shrimp trawl .
primarily found in tidal waters but enters ocean . commonly caught in gill nets in the altamaha river .
anadromous . commonly caught in gill nets in the altamaha river by shad fishermen .
primarily a freshwater species but often encountered in salt water on the georgia coast .
small individuals are often collected in tidal pools and canals and occasionally along the beach , high marsh , and upper reaches , from may to november .
large tarpon are commonly caught in warmer months on georgia beaches and in the lower altamaha river . juveniles occur in tidal pools and creeks in low - to high - salinities from july to november .


ogdoconta cinereola , the common pinkband moth , is a moth in the noctuidae family .

it is found in eastern , central , and south-western north america .

it occurs from southern ontario and quebec south to southern florida .

at the western edge of its distribution , it occurs from manitoba southward through the great plains of nebraska and iowa , south throughout most of texas , and westward through southern new mexico to south-eastern arizona ( santa cruz county ) .

the distribution extends south to the state of coahuila in northern mexico .

the length of the forewings is 9.5 – 14.5 mm .

the forewing is light fuscous brown , and the subterminal region ( between the postmedial and subterminal lines ) is suffused with a pinkish tinge .

the medial and basal areas are minutely speckled with white .

the reniform and orbicular spots are obscure but often discernible by fine white outlines .

the claviform spot is absent .

the postmedial line is a white , almost straight , oblique line with a slight basally directed bend .

the hindwings are suffused with brown .

males and females are similar in appearance , although the female hindwing usually is darker .

adults are on wing from may to september in the northern part of the range and from april to october in texas and florida .

the larvae feed on amaranthaceae , asteraceae ( especially ambrosia species ) , fabaceae , labiatae and poaceae species .

ogdoconta cinereola

howell curtis marked
ogdoconta cinereola larva
as trusted on the
ogdoconta cinereola
page .
howell curtis set
image of ogdoconta cinereola
as an exemplar on
ogdoconta cinereola guenée 1852
.
superficially , ogdoconta margareta and ogdoconta tacna are very similar and key out together in couplet 6 of the key to species in metzler et al . ( op cit . ) . the forewings of ogdoconta margareta have a violet tint whereas those of ogdoconta tacna are greenish . the hindwing of ogdoconta margareta is paler than that of ogdoconta tacna without significant dark suffusion at the anterior margin . ogdoconta margareta can be distinguished from all of the other ogdoconta species that are known to occur in arizona , ogdoconta cinereola ( guenée ) , ogdoconta moreno barnes , and ogdoconta rufipenna metzler , knudson , & poole , by its uniform purplish brown forewing and pale whitish hindwing . the forewings of the other species are either dark red brown or have lighter areas on the distal wing , and their hindwings are darker . modifications to the ogdoconta key to species in metzler ( op cit . ) are given in the discussion , below .
placodes cinereola guenée , 1852 , histoire naturelle des insectes . species general des lépidoptéres , 6 : 316 , pl . 15 , fig . 1 .
1 ogdoconta margareta , holotype male ( abdomen removed subsequently for dissection ) 2 ogdoconta margareta , male genitalia , valves and aedeagus 3 ogdoconta tacna , adult male , texas , usa ( cnc ) 4 ogdoconta tacna , male genitalia , valves and aedeagus ( source image same as in metzler et al . ( 2013 ) , used with permission ) .
i am grateful to the following individuals for help with this project : jocelyn gill photographed the ogdoconta tacna adult and prepared the illustrations ; j . donald lafontaine suggested that this species might be distinct , submitted the ogdoconta margareta dna sample to bold , and shared ogdoconta co1 similarity trees ; eric metzler graciously allowed the use of the images of the ogdoconta tacna genitalia ; merrill peterson took the photographs of ogdoconta margareta ; and b . christian schmidt gave editorial advice and other assistance .
a new species of ogdoconta butler ( lepidoptera , noctuidae , condicinae , condicini ) is described from the patagonia mountains , santa cruz county , arizona , usa . ogdoconta margareta sp . n . , is related closely to ogdoconta tacna ( barnes ) from texas . modifications are proposed to a recently published key to the ogdoconta species north of mexico to allow identification of the new species .
the two known specimens were collected in early september . it is possible that ogdoconta margareta also flies during the spring because the closely related species ogdoconta tacna has two broods ( metzler et al . 2013 ) .
the key to the species of ogdoconta in north america north of mexico in metzler et al . ( op cit . ) can be modified to include ogdoconta margareta by substituting the following couplet 6 for the original and inserting the following couplet 8 after couplet 7 :
ogdoconta margareta is a rarely collected species that is known only from the type locality in southeastern arizona , usa and sonora , mexico .
a review of the genus ogdoconta butler ( lepidoptera , noctuidae , condicinae , condicini ) from north america north of mexico with descriptions of three new species .
a single specimen of a new ogdoconta species resembling ogdoconta tacna ( barnes ) , a species that is known only from texas in the united states , was collected in 2013 near harshaw in the patagonia mountains , santa cruz county , arizona . while the new species and ogdoconta tacna are very similar superficially , their male genitalia are distinct and their co1 barcode sequences differ by nearly 4 % . a second specimen of the new species from sonora , mexico , was identified by its co1 barcode and is included in the type series . this new species is described herein .
the north american noctuid moth genus ogdoconta butler was revised recently by metzler et al . ( 2013 ) . there are approximately 16 species in the genus , of which nine occur north of mexico . the most characteristic feature of the genus is a horizontal cleft in the valve of the male genitalia that divides it into dorsal and ventral components .
crabo lg ( 2015 ) a new species of ogdoconta butler ( lepidoptera , noctuidae , condicinae , condicini ) from southeastern arizona , usa . in : schmidt bc , lafontaine jd ( eds ) contributions to the systematics of new world macro - moths vi . zookeys 527 : 51–56 . doi : 10 . 3897 / zookeys . 527 . 9771
metzler , e . h . , e . c . knudson , r . w . poole , j . d . lafontaine , m . g . pogue , 2013 . a review of the genus ogdoconta butler ( lepidoptera noctuidae , condicinae , condicini from north america north of mexico with description of three new species . . zookeys , 264 : 165–191 .
diagnosis : ogdoconta cinereola is the only north american species of the genus found outside of the southwestern u . s . - mexico region . it occurs abundantly in the eastern half of the united states and southeastern canada . the species is easy to identify . the forewing is brown and the subterminal region between the postmedial and subterminal lines is suffused with pink . the median and basal areas are minutely speckled with white . the antemedial line is an obscure , scalloped white line . the reniform spot and orbicular spot are obscure but often discernable as fine white lines . the claviform spot is absent . the postmedial line is a white , almost straight , oblique line . the subterminal line is marked primarily as a brown shade terminating the pink suffusion of the subterminal region . the hindwing is suffused with brown . the male genitalia are not particularly remarkable , but this appears to be the only species in the genus with a clasper - like structure near the junction or the saccular and cucullar regions of the valve . the vesica has a complete coil in it , although this feature is shared with other species . likewise there is a complete coil in the appendix bursae of the female genitalia .
the 658 base pair dna “barcode” region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 ( co1 ) was used to assess molecular variation in the genus odgoconta . a leg of the arizona specimen was submitted to the barcodes of life campaign ( bold ) at the university of guelph ( ontario , canada ) where it was analyzed by standard dna extraction , amplification , and sequencing protocols as described by hebert et al . ( 2003 ) . the barcode sequence was compared to pre - existing ogdoconta material at bold using the kimura - 2 - parameter distance model as implemented on the barcode of life data systems website ( urltoken ) .
photographs are the copyrighted property of each photographer listed . contact individual photographers for permission to use for any purpose .
powell , j . a . & p . a . opler , moths of western north america , pl . 52 . 50f ; p . 293 . book review and ordering
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upcoming events 2018 bugguide gathering in virginia july 27 - 29 : registration and discussion photos of insects and people from the 2015 gathering in wisconsin , july 10 - 12 photos of insects and people from the 2014 gathering in virginia , june 4 - 7 . photos of insects and people from the 2013 gathering in arizona , july 25 - 28 photos of insects and people from the 2012 gathering in alabama photos of insects and people from the 2011 gathering in iowa photos from the 2010 workshop in grinnell , iowa photos from the 2009 gathering in washington
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caterpillar foods : ragweed , beans , sunflowers , hedge nettle ( stachys spp . ) ( bugguide )
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miana atomaria walker , 1865 , list of the specimens of lepidopterous insects in the collection of the british museum , 32 : 675 .
distribution : this species has a wide distribution in the eastern half of north america . it occurs from southern ontario and quebec in the north to southern florida in the south . the species stretches northward into the great plains as far north as nebraksa and iowa . it has not yet been collected in the dakotas or manitoba . the species occurs throughout most of texas except for the western counties and stretches as far south as the state of coahuila in northern mexico . there is little or no individual or geographical variation in this species .
the adult is generally common . adults have been collected throughout the summer months from may to september in the north to as early as april and as late as october in texas and florida .
the larval material in the usnm is now too faded to give a good description of the markings and coloration of the larvae , so i am repeating crumb ' s original description .
body green flecked with white , dorsum usually suffused with white . strong , sharply defined white lines middorsally and ventral of ii . spiracles white , included in the subventral white stripe which may be margined dorsally by a purplish red line . setigerous tubercles small to moderately large , but not conspicuous , slightly elevated , white . head greenish with white lateral lines margining the front and faint traces of darker submedian arcs and lateral lines , labrum white .
foodplants : crumb ( 1956 ) records the larva from ambrosia artemisiifolia ( ragweed ) and a . trifida ( giant ragweed ) , in the asteraceae . there are also adults in the usnm reared from helianthus annuus l . ( sunflower ) and
artichoke
. it is not clear from the labels whether the latter record is the true artichoke or the jerusalem artichoke .
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this is an open access article distributed under the terms of the creative commons attribution license ( cc by 4 . 0 ) , which permits unrestricted use , distribution , and reproduction in any medium , provided the original author and source are credited .
the male genitalia were prepared using standard methods ( hardwick 1950 , lafontaine 2004 ) . the detached abdomen was boiled in 10 % koh for 40 minutes . dissection was performed initially in water followed by hardening with isopropyl alcohol . the male vesica was everted and inflated . the preparation was stained with orcein and was mounted in euparal on a glass slide .
harshaw , 2 . 9–5 km sw , santa cruz county , arizona , usa .
holotype : male : usa : az : santa cruz co . , harshaw , 2 . 9–5 km sw , 31 . 42– [ 31 ] . 45° - 110 . 72– [ 110 ] . 74° , 1490–1765 m , 1 ix 2013 , l crabo leg . / crabo [ genitalia ] slide 681 / bold cnclep 00113651 . cnc . paratype : one male : mexico , sonora / bold cnclep 83594 . lgc .
i take pleasure in naming this species after my mother , margareta crabo of cave creek , arizona . the holotype was collected three days prior to her 80 th birthday . the name is a noun in apposition .
the valves of both species are unique in the genus in having a broadly triangular cucullus with an irregular outer margin with a series of small knobs . the most prominent structural differences between these species are in the aedeagus , vesica , and sacculus of the valve . in the genitalia of
) the aedeagus has a proximal bend and the proximal and distal portions of the vesica are coiled . the dorsal sacculus of
is rounded with greatest width at the mid - point . the saccular extension of
: antenna filiform with sparse ventral cilia , dorsum with alternating off - white and gray scales ; scape , head , and labial palpus covered with gray , off - white - tipped gray , and sparse off - white scales ; frons smooth , unmodified ; labial palpus with third segment one - third the length of the second segment ; eye smooth , normal sized .
: entire thorax , including prothoracic collar and patagium , covered with off - white - tipped gray and gray scales , appearing uniform purplish brown similar to the forewings ; legs with off - white and gray scales , prothoracic leg palest , tarsal segments gray with distal off - white bands . forewing : length 13 mm excluding fringe ; covered with brown - gray , off - white , and fawn scales , appearing hoary purplish brown , slightly darker gray medial to the subterminal line and terminal area and slightly paler near the postmedial line ; basal and antemedial lines nearly obsolete , evident as a few pale scales on the costa and in the fold ; medial shade dark gray , faint and diffuse ; postmedial line brown gray , double with filling of the adjacent ground color , outer portion weakly dentate with dark and pale scales on the veins lateral to the line , oriented parallel to outer margin , nearly straight ; subterminal line a hoary sinuous row of pale scales ; terminal line dark brown bordered mesially by an incomplete line of pale scales ; fringe gray brown with hoary pale tips ; orbicular and reniform spots hoary , filled with the adjacent ground color , orbicular spot irregularly ovate , lateral portion touching posterior reniform spot ; reniform spot asymmetrically figure - eight shaped with posterior margin extended toward base and touching orbicular spot ; claviform spot absent ; hindwing slightly brownish off white with slight dusting of pale gray scales near anterior margin and darker gray veins ; terminal line dark brown ; hindwing fringe pale tan with scattered gray scales and paler outer margin .
( removed for dissection after photography ) : covered with fuscous scales , slightly darker weak dorsal tufts on the first two segments .
) : uncus cylindrical , 6× as long as thick , apex pointed bluntly ; juxta 1 . 25× as tall as wide with arrowhead - shaped caudal portion ; valve bifid with larger dorsal portion bearing triangular cucullus and small ventral portion comprised of saccular extension ; sacculus 0 . 5× as long as valve , dorsal margin bluntly triangular and extending to near dorsal valve margin distal to mid - point of sacculus near mid - valve , blade - like saccular extensions 0 . 4× as long as sacculus , extending to near ventral cucullus margin , asymmetrical , slightly shorter and more robust on the right than the left ; dorsal margin of mid - valve slightly convex , cucullus large , triangular , 0 . 5× as wide as valve length , with finely crenulate lateral margin and rounded dorsal and truncate ventral margins , mesial surface covered with fine hairs ; aedeagus cylindrical , straight , 10× as long as wide , without ornamentation ; vesica 1× as long as aedeagus with slight expansion at subbasal bend but otherwise similar in width to aedeagus , straight beyond 135° subbasal bend toward left , subapex with two short fields of innumerable short cornuti .
the holotype was collected in one of a series of black light traps placed mostly in a forest of oak and pine , with a few traps in the ecotone between forest and shrub desert . the habitat of this species in mexico is unknown .
hebert pdn , cywindka a , ball sl , dewaard jr . ( 2003 )
the moths of north america including greenland , fascicle 27 . 1 , noctuoideanoctuidae ( part ) noctuinae ( part—agrotini ) . the wedge entomological research foundation .
metzler eh , knudson ec , poole rw , lafontaine jd , pogue mg . ( 2013 )