Potamotrygon leopoldi

(Castex & Castello, 1970)

Vernacular names
English : White-blotched river stingray
French : Raie potamotrygon de Léopold

Classification
Class : Elasmobranchii
Order : Myliobatiformes
Family : Potamotrygonidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a diameter of 40 cm. It is usually black or very dark brown with dark edged white to yellow-white round spots on its back. Underside is mottled black. Tail also has white spots.

Range and habitat
The species is endemic to northern Brazil and only occurs in the Rio Xingu and Rio Fresco, along with some of their tributaries. Lives in sandy or muddy river bottoms, usually near rocky areas for hunting.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Not Listed
Status : This species has a very small range and could be easily threatened by water pollution and over-hunting or trapping for aquarium trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America

Observation

 

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