Rays are part of the Chondrichthyes Class of fish. Cartilaginous Fish (Chondrichthyes) comprises of sharks, rays and chimaeras. Chondrichthyes do not have bones but instead have a hardened cartilaginous skeleton (much like the human nose and ears) and have a jaw suspended form the skull with five to seven gill openings. Rays evolved some 200 million years ago, with an estimated 450-500 species of rays worldwide.
Rays are seen on almost every dive in Sydney. In fact they are so common you almost forget to notice them! When I recall my first dive logs in Sydney they are nearly always recounting how amazing it was to see so many rays carpeting the floor. They are definitely more prevalent during the spring and summer. Especially on a night dive when you can shine your torch and you get back many shining eyes looking back at you.
Rays are classed under several orders based on their features and in Sydney the species we find include:
We regularly see the Common Stingaree, and then the more unusual Numb Rays (which can electrocute you, so be careful), Bull Rays, Fiddler Rays and Marble Rays. Occasionally we see Eagle Rays too.
To learn more about each species we see in Sydney click on the links below, or if you want to understand more about rays, keep reading on here.
Rays are seen on almost every dive in Sydney. In fact they are so common you almost forget to notice them! When I recall my first dive logs in Sydney they are nearly always recounting how amazing it was to see so many rays carpeting the floor. They are definitely more prevalent during the spring and summer. Especially on a night dive when you can shine your torch and you get back many shining eyes looking back at you.
Rays are classed under several orders based on their features and in Sydney the species we find include:
- Myliobatiformes (Stingrays, Stingarees, Eagle Rays, Devil Rays)
- Family Stingray (Dasyatidae)
- Species Dasyatis brevicaudata (Bull Ray / Smooth Stingray)
- Species Hemitrygon fluviorum (Brown Stingray),
- Family Stingarees (Urolophidae)
- Species Trygonoptera Testacea (Common Stingaree)
- Species Urolophus kapalensis (Kapala Stingaree)
- Family Myliobatidae (Eagle Rays)
- Species Myliobatis australis (Southern Eagle Ray)
- Species Myliobatis australis (Southern Eagle Ray)
- Family Stingray (Dasyatidae)
- Rhinobatiformes (Guitarfish)
- Family Shovelnose Rays (Rhinobatidae)
- Species Trygonorrhina fasciata (Fiddler Ray)
- Species Eastern Shovelnose Ray (Aptychotrema rostrata)
- Species Trygonorrhina fasciata (Fiddler Ray)
- Family Shovelnose Rays (Rhinobatidae)
- Torpediniformes (Electric Rays)
- Family Numbfish (Torpedinidae)
- Species Hypnos monopterygium (Numb Ray)
- Family Numbfish (Torpedinidae)
We regularly see the Common Stingaree, and then the more unusual Numb Rays (which can electrocute you, so be careful), Bull Rays, Fiddler Rays and Marble Rays. Occasionally we see Eagle Rays too.
To learn more about each species we see in Sydney click on the links below, or if you want to understand more about rays, keep reading on here.
Kapala Stingaree (Urolophus kapalensis), Family Urolophidae
|
Brown Stingray (Hemitrygon fluviorum), Family Dasyatidae
Common Stingaree (Trygonoptera testacea), Family Urolophidae
|
|
Reproduction:
Rays are ovoviviparous. Rays bear live young whilst skates bear their young in eggs. |
|
Rays and Skate Anatomy:
Spiracles are more important in rays and skates than they are in their shark cousins and allow the animal to breathe whilst lying still. There are 69 species of ray which are capable of generating electricity, like the Numb Ray often seen in Sydney.
Spiracles are more important in rays and skates than they are in their shark cousins and allow the animal to breathe whilst lying still. There are 69 species of ray which are capable of generating electricity, like the Numb Ray often seen in Sydney.
