Species: Styracura schmardae, Atlantic Chupare, Caribbean Whiptail Stingray

Styracura schmardae (Werner, 1904)

Atlantic Chupare, Caribbean Whiptail Stingray

Head continuous with disc; disc oval, 1-1.1 times wider than long, evenly rounded to almost straight at front, outer edges and rear corners of disc rounded; snout length less than or equal to distance between spiracles; nostrils with a large fringed curtain between them and the mouth; floor of the mouth has fleshy papillae; long slender tail with 1 long venomous spine, not depressed at base, no dorsal or tail fins, without dorsal fin fold, with a very low, indistinct keel on underside that originates at the level of the spine, a ridge running along each side of front ¼ of the tail base; disc uniformly covered with small flattened denticles (enlarged on shoulders), but without large thorns.

Upper surface dark brown to dark olive or sepia; lower surface yellowish to whitish.

Reaches to 180 cm disc width.

Lives on shallow softbottoms; fresh to fully marine saltwater; common in mangrove lagoons.

Depth range: 1-30 m.

Gulf of Mexico to French Guiana.