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Aetobatus ocellatus (Kuhl, 1823)
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Aetobatus ocellatus (Kuhl, 1823)
  • Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
  • Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
  • Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
Genus: ,

Scientific Name: Aetobatus ocellatus

English Name: Spotted/Ocellated eagle ray

Creole Name: Lare sousouri

French Name: Raie léopard

IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU)



Information

Description:

Very large eagle ray with a dark grey to almost black, greyish or reddish-brown dorsal colouration variably white spotted (rarely with ocelli), spots often confined to 
rear of disc. Ventral surface white. Disc very broad, short, angular and entirely smooth. Tail elongate whip-like ~2.1 – 2.5 times DW. Usually 1 or 2 caudal stings 
(rarely up to 5).


Size:

Maturity: males at 100-130cm DW, females at ~ 150-160cm DW. Max Length: 300cm DW (880cm TL)


Habitat and Ecology:

Relatively common inshore, often occurring in schools, also well offshore, depth range 1-100m. Often associated with coral reef ecosystems. Diet consists of hard-shelled 
bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as crabs, crustacea, bivalve molluscs, octopi etc… Often seen digging for prey items buried in the sand. Ovoviviparous, litters usually 
of 1-4 pups (but up to 10 has been recorded) after 12 month gestation. Females thought to produce litters every 2-3 years. 


Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the net fishery and also by harpoon, though the latter method is increasingly rare.


Notes:
References:

Bray, D.J. (2017). Aetobatus ocellatus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 29 Aug 2018, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2034
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Eds. (2018). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.de/summary/Aetobatus-ocellatus (29/08/18).
Kyne, P.M. et al (2016). Aetobatus ocellatus. The IUCN Red List 2016: e.T42566169A42566212. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T42566169A42566212.en. (29/08/18).
Last, P.R. et al (2016). Rays of the World. CSIRO Publishing ISBN 9781501705328


Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Aetobatus ocellatus, Ocellated eagle ray. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/aetobatus-ocellatus-kuhl-1823/ (Edited 29/09/21).


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