Abstract
The barbed spine of the yellow stingray, Urobatis jamaicensis, has a unique architecture and histology. The spines are stiletto-shaped and flattened with lateral serrations that point backwards. Venom-secreting glandular cells incased in by integument run along two longitudinal grooves for the length of the spine. Urobatis has one or more barbs (modified dermal denticles) located on the dorsal side of the ray's tail, which often is used for defense. Previous research has reported the existence of tail spine asymmetry by geography, sex and age in 12 species of stingrays (Schwartz, 2007), This study examined tail spine length and number of serrations in Urobatis jamaicensis based on gender. Tail spine characteristics, i.e. length and serrations by gender, of 59 Urobatis caudal tail spines collected off inshore waters of Broward County, Florida were examined. Although spine lengths varied with gender, length was not correlated with gender (p> 0.05). Furthermore, no gender differences were found with serration numbers (p>.05), although serration numbers appeared to increase with spine length. It was found that Broward County Urobatis averaged smaller than other documented stingray spines indicating additional information on this morphological character may aid in defining ray species and their habitats.
Faculty Sponsors
Judy Robinson
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-4-2014 1:00 PM
End Date
4-4-2014 5:30 PM
Tail Spine Characteristics of the Yellow Stingray, Urobatis jamaicensis (Order: Myliobatiformes), of Broward County, Florida
Alvin Sherman Library
The barbed spine of the yellow stingray, Urobatis jamaicensis, has a unique architecture and histology. The spines are stiletto-shaped and flattened with lateral serrations that point backwards. Venom-secreting glandular cells incased in by integument run along two longitudinal grooves for the length of the spine. Urobatis has one or more barbs (modified dermal denticles) located on the dorsal side of the ray's tail, which often is used for defense. Previous research has reported the existence of tail spine asymmetry by geography, sex and age in 12 species of stingrays (Schwartz, 2007), This study examined tail spine length and number of serrations in Urobatis jamaicensis based on gender. Tail spine characteristics, i.e. length and serrations by gender, of 59 Urobatis caudal tail spines collected off inshore waters of Broward County, Florida were examined. Although spine lengths varied with gender, length was not correlated with gender (p> 0.05). Furthermore, no gender differences were found with serration numbers (p>.05), although serration numbers appeared to increase with spine length. It was found that Broward County Urobatis averaged smaller than other documented stingray spines indicating additional information on this morphological character may aid in defining ray species and their habitats.
