Telatrygon biasa
A common whiptail stingray of the Indo-Malay Archipelago.
Telatrygon biasa, commonly known as the Indonesian sharpnose ray, is a species of whiptail stingray found across the Indo-Malay Archipelago, with recorded specimens from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and Thailand. This ray lives in shallow coastal waters at depths down to about 40 meters. Its population is declining because small-scale local fisheries catch it and sell it for human consumption.
The species name "biasa" comes from Indonesian and Malay, meaning "ordinary" or "common," a reference to how frequently it appears in fish markets across the western North Pacific. Physically, the ray has a relatively short snout and disc, small eyes, between 107 and 114 pectoral radials, and 85 to 94 total vertebral centra. It reaches a maximum disc width of 29 centimeters, with newborns measuring around 7 to 9 centimeters across.
A demersal species, it inhabits coastal regions of Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Bali in Indonesia; the Malay Peninsula, Sabah, and Sarawak in Malaysia; as well as Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, and Thailand. Local and national fisheries often catch these rays, processing them fresh or salted as seafood delicacies for nearby communities. The name "biasa" may also hint at how commonly this ray is eaten and sold in local markets.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Telatrygon
- Species
- biasa
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The species name 'biasa' is an Indonesian and Malaysian word meaning 'ordinary, common or normal,' referring to its frequent occurrence in local fish markets of the western North Pacific. This sharpnose ray has several characteristics, including a relatively short snout and disc, small eyes, 107-114 pectoral radials, and 85-94 vertebral centra in total. It can reach a maximum size of 29 cm disc width, while birth size is around 7-9 cm disc width.
Reader's Guide
Telatrygon biasa is notable for its widespread presence in the coastal waters of the Indo-Malay Archipelago, where it is frequently encountered by small-scale fisheries. Its species name 'biasa,' meaning 'ordinary' in Malay and Indonesian, reflects its common occurrence in local fish markets, where it is often sold fresh or salted as seafood delicacies for local communities. The ray is currently experiencing population decrease due to being captured by these fisheries and retained for human consumption. This demographic pressure highlights its significance as a regularly harvested species in the region, though the article does not specify conservation measures or population trends beyond the noted decline.
Did You Know?
- The species name 'biasa' means 'ordinary, common or normal' in Indonesian and Malaysian.
- It can reach a maximum disc width of 29 cm.
- It is found in coastal regions of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, and Thailand.
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