ANIMAL SPECIES:Short-tail Torpedo Ray, Torpedo macneilli (Whitley, 1932)
The Short-tail Torpedo Ray's disc is usually broader than long. The species is grey, yellowish or brown above and white below. It grows to at least 1m in length.
Alternative Name/s
Electric Ray, TorpedoIdentification
The Short-tail Torpedo Ray's disc is usually broader than long. The profile across the front of the fish is nearly straight. The skin is smooth, but may be creased. There are two small dorsal fins and a large caudal fin. The eyes are very small. On the underside of the head are five pairs of gill slits. The species is grey, yellowish or brown above and white below.
Size range
It grows to at least 1m in length.Distribution
The Short-tail Torpedo Ray is endemic to Australia. It is known from the north-western coast of Western Australia, around the south of the country including Tasmania, and north to the central coast of Queensland.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Short-tail Torpedo Ray specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
The species is a bottom dwelling species that normally occurs between 90 m and 580 m in depth.
Behaviour and adaptations
Other behaviours and adaptations
The Short-tail Torpedo Ray has electric organs in the disc. The organs are made up of hexagonal, fluid filled cells that cause the upper surface of the fish to have a positive charge and the lower surface a negative charge. Reports exist of fishermen who have received severe electric shocks from handling this fish.
Classification
- Species:
- macneilli
- Genus:
- Torpedo
- Family:
- Torpedinidae
- Order:
- Torpediniformes
- Class:
- Chondrichthyes
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Last, P.R. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
- Last, P.R. & J.D. Stevens. 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia. CSIRO. Pp. 513.
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Short-tail Torpedo Ray, dorsal surface View full size
Robin Mcphee
© NORFANZ Founding Parties
Short-tail Torpedo Ray, ventral surface View full size
Robin McPhee
© NORFANZ Founding Parties
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