Java stingaree facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Java stingaree |
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| Conservation status | |
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Urolophus
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| Species: |
javanicus
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The Java stingaree (Urolophus javanicus) was a type of stingray. It belonged to the family called Urolophidae. Scientists only ever found one of these stingrays. It was a female, about 33 cm (13 in) long. This single specimen was caught near Jakarta, Indonesia.
This special stingray had a body shaped like a flat, oval disc, which was a bit longer than it was wide. It also had a tail with a small dorsal fin (a fin on its back) and a caudal fin (tail fin). Right in front of its tail fin was a stinging spine. The Java stingaree was brown on top, with darker and lighter spots. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has officially declared the Java stingaree Extinct. This means it has completely disappeared from Earth. No one has seen it for over 150 years. The area where it lived faced a lot of fishing and its home was damaged by human activity.
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What is a Java Stingaree?
The Java stingaree was a type of stingray. Stingrays are flat fish that live in the ocean. They are related to sharks. The Java stingaree was known for its unique body shape. Its main body, called a disc, was oval and a bit longer than it was wide. The front edges of its disc were gently curved. They met at a rounded point at its snout.
Eyes and Breathing
The stingaree had eyes, and behind them were larger, comma-shaped openings called spiracles. These spiracles helped it breathe. Its nostrils were shaped like crescents. Between them was a flap of skin with tiny fringes.
Mouth and Teeth
Its mouth was shaped like a bow. Inside, on the floor of its mouth, were three small, nipple-like bumps called papillae. Its teeth were small and arranged very closely together. They had a pattern like dots on a dice. Each tooth had a small ridge across its top. It also had five pairs of short gill slits, which are how fish breathe underwater.
Fins and Tail
The fins on its belly, called pelvic fins, were almost square with rounded corners. Its tail was shorter than its body disc. About halfway along its tail, it had a clear dorsal fin. Right behind this dorsal fin was a stinging spine with jagged edges. The tail ended in a leaf-shaped caudal fin.
Skin and Color
The skin of the Java stingaree was smooth. It did not have rough, tooth-like scales called dermal denticles. However, it did have tiny white bumps on the top middle part of its disc. The stingaree was dark brown on top. It had many unclear darker and lighter spots. Its underside was pale. The only specimen ever found was about 33 cm (13 in) long.
Where Did It Live?
The Java stingaree was only ever found in the Java Sea. This is an ocean area near Jakarta, Indonesia. Scientists do not know exactly how far it lived or how deep in the water it preferred to be. They also do not know much about its favorite type of home. However, they believe its living area was likely very small.
Its Life Cycle
Scientists know very little about how the Java stingaree lived its life. Like other stingarees, it probably gave birth to live young. These young would have developed inside the mother without a placenta. It likely had only a few babies at a time.
Why Did It Disappear?
The Java stingaree has not been seen since the first one was found over 150 years ago. This is why scientists believe it is now extinct. The area where it lived had a lot of fishing activity. Also, its home was damaged because it was close to big cities. This damage is called habitat degradation.
Even though it is possible that some Java stingarees were caught but not recognized, if any still existed, their population would be in great danger. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) officially declared it Extinct on March 31, 2023.
