Myliobatis aquila (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common eagle ray
Myliobatis aquila
photo by Murch, A.

Family:  Myliobatidae (Eagle and manta rays)
Max. size:  183 cm WD (male/unsexed); max.weight: 15 kg
Environment:  benthopelagic; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 300 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Madeira, Morocco and the Canary Islands north to the western coasts of Ireland and British Isles and the southwestern North Sea, south to Natal, South Africa. Also throughout the Mediterranean.
Diagnosis:  A plain eagleray with a short, rounded snout; disc with broadly angular corners, and upper or lower jaw usually with 7 rows of plate-like teeth (Ref. 5578). Brown or blackish dorsally, white ventrally (Ref. 5578). No caudal fin (Ref. 5578).
Biology:  Found in shallow lagoons (Ref. 3965), bays and estuaries; also offshore down to at least 95 m (Ref. 5578). Often found in groups (Ref. 5578). Feeds on benthic crustaceans, mollusks and fish. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Gestation period of 6-8 months, the females give birth to 3-7 young (Ref. 35388). Caught by shore and ski-boat anglers, usually released after capture (Ref. 5578). Flesh is highly esteemed (Ref. 3965).
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 04 August 2020 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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