Species: Gymnura altavela, Spiny Butterfly Ray

Gymnura altavela (Linnaeus, 1758)

Spiny Butterfly Ray

Disc rhomboidal, much wider (at least 1.5 times) than long; snout very bluntly pointed, ~7.5% of disc width; pectorals not separated from head, their edges rounded; mouth arched, no papilla on its floor; jaws with many small teeth in bands; nostrils with a broad, smooth-edged curtain before mouth; inner rear margin of spiracle with distinct tentacle; pectorals extend well behind pelvic fin origin; pelvics with one lobe; tail very short, much shorter than disc; no dorsal or tail fins, but skin folds present on its upper &/or lower surfaces; upper surface usually smooth, without denticles; 1-2 large serrated spines on tail.

Upper surface dark to light brown, with scattered small dark and light spots; lower surface white; tail of small specimens with pale cross-bars, but no bars in adult.

Reaches 260 cm disc width.

Lives on soft bottoms.

Depth range: 10-150 m.

Both sides of the Atlantic; Massachusetts to northern Argentina.