Xingu River ray
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The Xingu River ray, River stingray, white-blotched river stingray, or polka-dot stingray (Potamotrygon leopoldi) is a species of freshwater fish in the family Potamotrygonidae. It is endemic to the Xingu River basin in Brazil and as such prefers clear waters with rocky bottoms.[1] It is sometimes kept in aquaria, like its more common relative the Motoro.[1]
Etymology
The fish is named in honor of King Leopold III (1901–1983) of Belgium, who sponsored many scientific studies at the Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique.[2]
Description
Potamotrygon leopoldi reaches up to Script error: No such module "convert". in disc width,[3] Script error: No such module "convert". in total length and Script error: No such module "convert". in weight.[4] Females grow larger than males.[5] It is closely related to the similar P. henlei from the Tocantins River basin and P. albimaculata from the Tapajós River basin.[6] Compared to P. henlei, P. leopoldi is deeper black above and its underparts are mostly brownish-dusky (large white center to underparts of P. henlei).[6][7] Compared to P. albimaculata, P. leopoldi has fewer and larger yellowish-white spots above.[6][7]
The River stingray is a venomous stingray that contains venom localized at its dentine spine in its tail.[8] While the ray's venom composition does not change with maturation, the venom toxicity decreases as rays get older.[8] On the other hand, rays' jaw shape, stiffness, and mineralization are strengthened with age, which allows mature rays the ability to consume hard-shelled invertebrates.[9] These changes in traits with maturation reflect the different pressures rays experience in terms of functions such as feeding and avoiding predation during different maturity stages.[8]
References
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- ↑ Fishing World-records: Potamotrygon leopoldi. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
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