Shorttail Cownose Ray

The Shorttail Cownose Ray (Rhinoptera jayakari) is a marine species classified under the genus Rhinoptera, derived from Greek, with "rhinos" meaning nose and "pteron" meaning fin or wing. This species is benthopelagic and inhabits tropical regions, reaching a maximum length of approximately 90 cm (1.2 m disc width).

Notably, these rays are found in the open ocean, frequently forming sizable shoals. They exhibit ovoviviparous reproduction (aplacental viviparity), with embryos initially deriving nourishment from their yolk sacs. Subsequently, they receive additional sustenance from the mother through the indirect absorption of uterine fluid, which is enriched with mucus, fat, or protein, facilitated by specialized structures.

Geographically, the Shorttail Cownose Ray is distributed across the Indo-West Pacific region, from 🇿🇦 South Africa to the 🇵🇭 Philippines, extending northward to the Ryukyu Islands (🇯🇵 Japan) and southward to eastern 🇮🇩 Indonesia. However, recent genetic studies suggest the existence of two closely related species within this range, potentially distinguished by variations in the shape of their heads and tails, as well as the robustness of their bodies.