Description:

Large eagle ray, grey dorsally numerous transverse black lines anteriorly transitioning to rings posteriorly and continuing with barring or spotting effect on to 
tail. Head with several black spots and stripes. The tail has no spine. Ventral surface white. Disc broad but short, length about half DW. Pectoral fins weakly falcate.

Maturity: Males mature at approx. 170cm DW, female size at maturity unknown. Max: attains at least 300cm DW, possibly 350cm DW (up to 600cm TL).

Little is known about this species. Found on banks and coral reefs from 1 -110m depth. Ovoviviparous.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the net fishery and occasionally harpooned. It is a relatively rare component of the catch.

Australian Museum (2012). https://australianmuseum.net.au/ornate-eagle-ray-aetomylaeus-vespertilio (09/08/18).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2018). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.de/summary/Aetomylaeus-vespertilio (09/08/18).
GBIF Secretariat (2017). Aetomylaeus vespertilio (Bleeker, 1852) GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-08-09.
White, W.T. & Kyne, P.M. (2016). Aetomylaeus vespertilio. The IUCN Red List 2016: e.T60121A68607665. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T60121A68607665.en. (12/03/19).
SharkReferences.com (2018). https://shark-references.com/species/view/Aetomylaeus-vespertilio (09/08/18).
Last, P.R. et al (2016). Rays of the World. CSIRO Publishing ISBN 9781501705328 

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Aetomylaeus vespertilio, Ornate eagle ray. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/aetomylaeus-vespertilio-bleeker-1852/ (Edited 29/09/21).