Giant stumptail stingray
A large, poorly known stingray from only two specimens.
The giant stumptail stingray (Dasyatis gigantea) is a stingray from the family Dasyatidae, known from just two specimens caught in Peter the Great Bay, part of the Sea of Japan. This ray is distinguished by its large size, a diamond-shaped pectoral fin disc that is wider than it is long, a fairly long snout, and a short, blunt tail—though it is possible the original rays had damaged tails. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers this species Data Deficient and has called for more research.
The species was first described by Russian ichthyologist Georgii Ustinovich Lindberg in a 1930 review of Far-Eastern seas fishes, co-authored with Soldatov. Lindberg placed it in a new genus, *Urolophoides*, because its short tail resembles that of *Urolophus* stingrays. In 1990, Nishida and Nakaya merged *Urolophoides* into *Dasyatis*. Later, in 1999, Dolganov suggested it might be the same as the red stingray (*D. akajei*), though Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes currently treats it as a synonym of the short-tail stingray (*Bathytoshia brevicaudata*).
Both known specimens were caught in Peter the Great Bay near Askold Island, close to Vladivostok. The ray can reach 2.3 meters (7.5 feet) in length and 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) across, with a disc much wider than long. Its head is short, but the snout is relatively long and projecting, about one-fifth as wide as the disc. The eyes are small and set far apart, followed by larger spiracles. The pelvic fins are not covered by the disc. The tail is shorter than the disc and ends bluntly, not tapering to a filament like other *Dasyatis* species, though Nishida and Nakaya noted that tail damage in stingrays is common and not always obvious. Near the base of the tail are two stout, saw-toothed spines, behind which lies a ventral fin fold; sources disagree on whether a dorsal fin fold exists. The skin is mostly smooth, except for many small dermal denticles on the rear part of the disc, the pelvic fins, and the tail base.
Almost nothing is known about the giant stumptail stingray's natural history. With only two specimens found, the IUCN lacks enough data to assess it beyond Data Deficient. It may be at risk from coastal fisheries.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Dasyatis
- Species
- gigantea
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Russian ichthyologist Georgii Ustinovich Lindberg published the description of the giant stumptail stingray in his and Soldatov's 1930 A Review of the Fishes of the Far-Eastern Seas. Lindberg created the new genus Urolophoides for this species, in reference to its short tail which resembles that of stingrays in the genus Urolophus. In 1990, Nishida and Nakaya placed Urolophoides in synonymy with Dasyatis. In 1999, Dolganov proposed that this species may be the same as the red stingray (D. akajei), though Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes regards this species as a synonym of the Short-tail stingray (Bathytoshia brevicaudata).
Both known specimens were caught in the Peter the Great Bay off Askold Island, near Vladivostok. Reaching 2.3 m long and 1.8 m across, the giant stumptail stingray has a diamond-shaped pectoral fin disc much wider than long. The head is short but the snout is relatively long and projecting, measuring a fifth as long as the disc is wide. The eyes are small and widely spaced, followed by larger spiracles. The tail is distinctive, being shorter than the disc and ending bluntly rather than tapering to a filament, though Nishida and Nakaya (1990) consider that tail damage in stingrays is common and not always obvious. There are two stout, saw-toothed spines near the base of the tail, and behind them a ventral fin fold; different sources conflict on whether there is also a dorsal fin fold. The skin is largely smooth, except for numerous small dermal denticles over the posterior portion of the disc, the pelvic fins, and the base of the tail.
Reader's Guide
The giant stumptail stingray is significant primarily for its extreme rarity and the taxonomic debates it has generated. Known from only two specimens collected from a single location—Peter the Great Bay off Askold Island—it exemplifies the challenges of studying data-deficient marine species. Its original placement in a distinct genus, Urolophoides, was later revised to Dasyatis, and subsequent proposals have suggested synonymy with either the red stingray or the short-tail stingray, though no consensus has been reached. The species' short, blunt tail, which gives it its common name, may be a natural feature or the result of damage, as noted by Nishida and Nakaya. The IUCN has listed it as Data Deficient, recommending further study, and it is potentially threatened by coastal fisheries. Its legacy lies in highlighting how little is known about some large marine animals and the importance of continued research and specimen collection to resolve taxonomic uncertainties.
Did You Know?
- The giant stumptail stingray is known from only two specimens collected from the Peter the Great Bay in the Sea of Japan.
- Its tail is shorter than the disc and ends bluntly, unlike the tapering filament of other Dasyatis species.
- Russian ichthyologist Georgii Ustinovich Lindberg originally placed it in the genus Urolophoides in 1930.
- The IUCN has listed this species as Data Deficient and recommended further study.
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