Australian Cowtail Stingray [Pastinachus ater]
Description
The Australian Cowtail Stingray is a species of stingray in the family Dasyatidae, predominantly found in the Indo-West Pacific off northern Australia and southern Papua New Guinea. They are characterized by a broad, diamond-shaped pectoral fin disc and a triangular, leaf-like tail. They prefer habitats of coastal waters over sandy or muddy bottoms and are known for their nocturnal behavior.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Cartilaginous Fish
Chondrichthyes
|
| Order |
Stingrays
Myliobatiformes
|
| Family |
Giant Stingrays
Dasyatidae
|
| Genus |
Cowtail Stingrays
Pastinachus
|