Dasyatis chrysonota (Smith, 1828)
Blue stingray
Dasyatis chrysonota
photo by Chater, S.

Family:  Dasyatidae (Stingrays), subfamily: Dasyatinae
Max. size:  75 cm WD (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 1 - 110 m
Distribution:  Southeast Atlantic: central Angola to at least St. Lucia, Natal, South Africa, possibly extending to Mozambique. Reported from the Comoros, Reunion and Madagascar (Ref. 33390).
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Found in shallow bays, sheltered sandy beaches in summertime, moves to deeper waters during winter. Feeds on bony fishes and crustaceans such as crabs, shrimps and mantis shrimps (Ref. 36731); including sea lice and marine worms (Ref. 114953). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Litters of 1-5 pups (Ref. 114953). Often caught by shore anglers (Ref. 36731). It is parasitised by the monogenean Dendromonocotyle citrosa on the dorsal skin surface (Ref. 124058).
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 01 August 2019 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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