Styracura schmardae (Werner, 1904)
Chupare stingray
photo by Shank, B.

Family:  Potamotrygonidae (River stingrays), subfamily: Styracurinae
Max. size:  200 cm WD (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine
Distribution:  Western Central Atlantic: Gulf of Campeche and the West Indies to Suriname (Ref. 3168); including Brazil (Ref. 53430). Validity of this species questioned in Compagno's 1999 checklist (Ref. 35766).
Diagnosis:  Disc ovate, broadly rounded. Tails with blunt tubercles. Upper surface dark brown, sooty olive. Edges of disc darker. Lower surface of disc and pelvic fins yellowish or cream white. Teeth little darker than lower surface (Ref. 6902).
Biology:  Found on sandy bottoms, occasionally near coral reefs (Ref. 12951). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Marketed salted; also used in the preparation of gelatin and oil.
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 21 June 2019 (A2d) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous


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