Longtail Butterfly Ray
Gymnura poecilura
Lessa's Butterfly Ray
Gymnura lessae
About
Lessa's butterfly ray is a flattened, diamond-shaped ray that glides low over sandy coastal seabeds. It was only recognised as its own species after being mistaken for a close relative for years.
Appearance
Like other butterfly rays, it has a diamond-shaped body, a very wide disc, and a short tail. The upper (back) side is darker, with faint ray-like markings near the base of the wings, while the underside is much paler.
Habitat
It lives along the coast on sandy and muddy seabeds, in shallow coastal waters rather than open ocean.
Diet
It feeds mainly on drumfish and anchovies, along with other fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and small invertebrates. It hides on the bottom and ambushes prey, using its pectoral fins to stun it before feeding. Larger females tend to take larger prey than males.
Breeding
This ray gives birth to live young, which are nourished inside the mother rather than hatched from eggs. Females grow larger than males, though males reach breeding age sooner. Pregnancy runs through the summer, with young born from late spring into summer and sometimes later.
Did you know?
It is named after Rosângela Lessa, a leading researcher in shark and ray conservation.
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