New Species of Blue-Spotted Maskray Discovered in Fiji
Marine scientists have identified a new species of the genus Stingray Neotrygon living in Fijian waters.
Living coloring of Neotrygon Romeoi about Fiji. Image credit: Glaus et al., DOI: 10.1111 / JFB.70094.
Neotrygon is a kind of bit of bites widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific.
Commandment how maskrays, these creatures are distinguished from others in the Dasyatidae family by their dark band in the interorbital region, a black and white banner on the posterior half of the tail and two taste buds in the mouth.
Currently, there are 17 valid Neotrygon species, of which ten have been described since 2016.
The majority of these species (14) are considered as belonging to a complex of masks with blue spots.
The newly discovered species are part of this complex and is only found in Fijian waters.
Appointed Neotrygon RomeoiHe was long confused with Kuhlii neotrygon And Neotrygon Trigonoides.
“It stands out with its large angular muzzle, its long clasps in adult males and a row of thorny thorns going from the neck to the base of the tail,” said Dr. Kerstin Glaus, researcher at the University of the South Pacific.
“The brown back of the radius is decorated with marks of dark mask through the eyes, two large spots behind the spiracles and many small black spots – especially around the face.”
Neotrygon Romeoi Was described on the basis of nine specimens (31-39.7 cm disk width) purchased on the SUVA fish market and collected from local fishermen. Above all, no radius was killed specifically for the study.
“The shelves are among the most threatened marine organizations,” said Dr. Glaus.
“Given the limited range of the Fiji Maskray, the high capture rate and the unknown life history, we recommend that it is considered for the protection under the Disappearance of Fiji, which, among other things, applies to endemic and shelves and helps to maintain native biodiversity by regulating trade, protection and use of species at risk.
“This discovery highlights the unique natural heritage of Fiji and the urgent need to better understand and protect our marine species,” added Lavenie Tawake, team leader of the Pacific-Union Partnership program (PESP).
The discovery of Neotrygon Romeoi is reported in an article published in the Journal of Fish Biology.
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Kerstin Glaus and al. A new kind of blue spot mask (NeotrygonDasyatidae) of Fiji. Journal of Fish Biologypublished online on June 9, 2025; DOI: 10.1111 / JFB.70094
