Spotted Eagle Rays Research Paper

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The aetobatus narinari, or more commonly known as the spotted eagle ray, is a member of the chordata phylum. (2) Being a part of the chordata phylum means they have unique characteristics such as: their notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve chord, pharyngeal slits, and a post anal tail. There are many reasons this animal is so intriguing, including its diversity and health, physiology, behaviour, and ecological challenges it faces. Spotted eagle rays are found throughout tropical warm waters in: the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Eastern Atlantic, Red Sea, South Africa, Hawaii, north of Japan, south of Australia, Eastern Pacific, Gulf of California, Peru, and the Galapagos Islands. (3) These creatures have been known to inhabit waters as far north …show more content…

(2) (6) They feed according to the tide. In high tide, they forge for food and socialize, in low tide they often rest in large groups in deeper waters. (2) Reproduction in spotted eagle rays are very unique; the eggs develop inside of the uterus, and hatch within the mother prior to emerging. Once the embryos are released from the egg, they are nourished by a yolk sac, rather than a placenta. (2) Multiple males chase the females during mating season, suggesting polygyny. An interesting trait of the spotted eagle rays is that they have been known to breech, to assist in giving birth, as pictured below (2). Spotted eagle rays are near threatened on the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species. This is due to the unregulated practice of in shore fishing, which is widely available (2). Certain areas of the world have taken measures to assure this animal does not become threatened. In Australia, Florida, and the Maldives the aetobatus narinari is protected (2). In places sure as Cuba and Mexico they are harvested as food; however, usually they are accidentally caught by fishers when targeting other species (5). The reason these sea creatures are so vulnerable is because they have an extremely low rate of reproduction, and a long gestation period

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