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White-blotched river stingray

(Potamotrygon leopoldi)

 

Category: Fish

 

 

This distinctive ray is native to the Xingu River basin in Brazil, a tributary of the Amazon River. They are thought to dwell primarily on rocky river bottoms. They are very rare species and are threatened by habitat loss due to an increase in gold-mining, fisheries, logging, agriculture expansion, and dam construction in its Xingu River Basin home.

http://www.aqua.org/explore/animals/white-blotched-stingray

 

Data & Facts

Scientific Classification
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Chondrichthyes
Order - Myliobatiformes
Family - Potamotrygonidae
Genus - Potamotrygon
Species - P. leopoldi

 
Did you know?
Interesting Animal Facts

Undersea Conversations…

While it isn’t obvious, fish have ears, and are able to communicate to one another through sounds. They don’t have vocal chords, but instead vibrate their swim bladders, producing popping, grunting, moaning, barking, or chirping noises. While some species of fish, like the goldfish, are silent listeners, there are over 1000 species that are known to vocalize, and some, like the gurnard who are veritable chatterboxes. While we can’t have a conversation with them - at least not yet - it is theorized that they do it to attract mates, frighten away predators or competitors, to synchronize mating, call for help and warn others, or to orient themselves.

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