Description

Vertebrae: 116 - 128. Diagnosis: Dasyatis margaritella is the smallest dasyatid in West Africa (Ref. 26277). It is most similar to Dasyatis margarita, which is larger and has a larger pearl spine, and more numerous pectoral radials, 133-135 vs. 116-127 in D. margaritella (Ref. 26277). It is also similar to D. garouaensis, which has a much flatter disc and a longer snout (Ref. 26277).

Common Names

No common names available.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Elasmobranchii

Order: Myliobatiformes

Family: Dasyatidae

Genus: Fontitrygon

Species: Fontitrygon margaritella (Compagno & Roberts, 1984)

Climate Zone

Location

Biology

Dasyatis margaritella is the most common littoral stingray on the West African coast and it enter lagoons, shallow bays and estuaries (Ref. 7397, 81259). Most likely feeds on small invertebrates (Ref. 114953). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449).

Habitat

brackish