Round-Ribbontail Ray
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Scientific Name: Taeniurops meyeni
Habitat: Tropical waters, in lagoons and outer coral reef slopes
Diet: Bottom-dwelling fish, mollusks, crustaceans (carnivorous)
Threats: Ghost nets, fishing bycatch, land reclamation, coastal pollution
Predator: Larger fishes like sharks
This species faces several significant threats:
Ghost Nets: Abandoned fishing nets can entangle rays, leading to injury or death.
Fishing Bycatch: The Round Ribbontail Ray is often caught unintentionally in demersal tangle nets, longlines, and bottom trawls. Its meat and cartilage are sometimes utilized, contributing to its decline.
Land Reclamation: Coastal development projects reduce available habitats.
Taeniurops meyeni, the Round Ribbontail Ray, inhabits tropical Indo-Pacific waters, frequenting lagoons, estuaries, and outer coral reef slopes. This carnivorous species feeds on bottom-dwelling fishes, mollusks, and crustaceans. Major threats include ghost nets, fishing bycatch, land reclamation, and coastal pollution. Predators such as sharks pose natural threats. The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, emphasizing the need for continued conservation efforts. It holds ecological and cultural significance, contributing to marine biodiversity and attracting ecotourism () () () ().
The Round Ribbontail Ray, also known as the Blotched Fantail Ray, is found in tropical waters throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to southern Japan, Micronesia, and tropical Australia. This species inhabits a variety of environments, including lagoons, estuaries, and outer coral reef slopes, typically at depths ranging from 20 to 60 meters, though it can be found at depths up to 500 meters () () ().
The Round Ribbontail Ray is carnivorous, primarily feeding on bottom-dwelling fishes, mollusks, and crustaceans. It uses its disc to press against the ocean floor, stirring up sediment to expose prey, which it then captures () () ().
Coastal Pollution: Runoff and other pollutants degrade their habitats, impacting their health and food sources () () ().
Larger fishes, particularly sharks, are the primary predators of the Round Ribbontail Ray () ().
The Round Ribbontail Ray is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Efforts to protect this species include the establishment of marine protected areas and regulations on fishing practices to reduce bycatch. However, significant challenges remain due to ongoing fishing pressures and habitat degradation () ().
The Round Ribbontail Ray plays a crucial role in the marine ecosystem as both a predator and prey, helping to maintain the balance of benthic communities. Its striking appearance and behavior also make it a species of interest for ecotourism, particularly in regions like the Maldives and Australia where marine biodiversity is a significant draw for visitors () ().
