Issue
Eastern Atlantic populations of Bathytoshia centroura refer to Bathytoshia lata according to Last et al, 2016 (Ref. 114953). Species distribution will be corrected as soon as possible;
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 3 - 270 m (Ref. 57911), usually 15 - 50 m (Ref. 4438). Subtropical, preferred 26°C (Ref. 107945); 45°N - 35°S, 90°W - 36°E
Western Atlantic: antitropical; from western and southern USA and Brazil to Argentina; including the Gulf of Mexico. Eastern Atlantic populations refer to Bathytoshia lata according to Last et al, 2016 (Ref. 114953).
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?, range 66 - 160 cm
Max length : 300 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 27549); common length : 125 cm WD male/unsexed; (Ref. 26999); max. published weight: 300.0 kg (Ref. 57911)
Diagnosis: Large specimens of Dasyatis centroura are recognizable by their thorny tails, by the large size and wide spacing spacing of their mid-dorsal bucklers, and by the conspicuous tubercles or bucklers on the outer parts of their discs; in smaller specimens the large tubercles have not yet developed on the tail (Ref. 6902). It differs from Dasyatis sabina, D. guttata and Himantura schmardae in the shape of disc; it resembles Dasyatis say and D. americana in shape of disc, but it can be distinguished from D. say by the fact that the tail lacks any trace of a cutaneous fold above, and from D. americana by its much narrower ventral tailfold (Ref. 6902).
Dasyatis centroura is a coastal species (Ref. 81259), found over sandy and muddy bottoms (Ref. 3169). It feeds on bottom-living invertebrates and fishes (Ref. 3169). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 6901). Wings marketed fresh, smoked, dried-salted; used for fishmeal and oil. Harmful to shellfish banks; dangerous to bathers and fishers due to its poisonous spine. May attain well over 100 cm TL. Warm season visitor to coastal waters (Ref. 6902).
Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, fat or protein through specialised structures (Ref. 50449). Gestation about 4 months with 2 to 4 young produced in autumn and early winter (Ref. 6901). Distinct pairing with embrace (Ref. 205).
Bauchot, M.-L., 1987. Raies et autres batoides. p. 845-886. In W. Fischer, M.L. Bauchot and M. Schneider (eds.) Fiches FAO d'identificationpour les besoins de la pêche. (rev. 1). Mèditerranée et mer Noire. Zone de pêche 37. Vol. II. Commission des Communautés Européennes and FAO, Rome. (Ref. 3261)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Venomous
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
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