Animal Species:Leopard Whipray, Himantura leoparda Manjaji-Matsumoto & Last, 2008

The Leopard Whipray can be recognised by its pattern of leopard-like spots, and its long, thin tail which usually has one sting (spine). The species grows to a length of at least 4.1 m and a width of 1.4 m.

Leopard Whipray, Himantura leoparda

Leopard Whipray, Himantura leoparda
Carl Bento © Australian Museum

Identification

The Leopard Whipray can be recognised by its pattern of leopard-like spots, and its long, thin tail which usually has one sting (spine). Until recently, this species was named Himantura undulata.

Size range

The species grows to a length of at least 4.1 m and a width of 1.4 m.

Distribution

It occurs throughout much of south-east Asia and Taiwan. In Australia it is known from Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia to the Torres Strait, Queensland.

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Leopard Whipray specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species lives on the inner continental shelf in tropical waters.

Classification

Species:
leoparda
Genus:
Himantura
Family:
Dasyatidae
Order:
Myliobatiformes
Class:
Chondrichthyes
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178. (as Himantura undulata)
  2. Last, P.R. & J.D. Stevens. 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia. CSIRO. Pp. 513, Pl. 1-84.

 


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Leopard Whipray, Himantura leoparda, Dasyatidae, leopard-like spots, adult, marine, ray, > 2m, long thin tail, one sting, stinging spine, Himantura undulata, inner continental shelf, tropical water,