Neotrygon orientalis
{{Speciesbox
| image =
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Neotrygon
| species = orientalis
| authority = Last, White & Serét, 2016
}}
Neotrygon orientalis, the Oriental bluespotted maskray, is a type of whiptail stingray found mainly in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Taiwan.{{Cite journal |last1=Last |first1=Peter R. |last2=White |first2=William T. |last3=SéRet |first3=Bernard |date=2016-02-23 |title=Taxonomic status of maskrays of the Neotrygon kuhlii species complex (Myliobatoidei: Dasyatidae) with the description of three new species from the Indo-West Pacific |url=https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4083.4.5 |journal=Zootaxa |volume=4083 |issue=4 |pages=533–561 |doi=10.11646/zootaxa.4083.4.5 |pmid=27394245 |issn=1175-5334|url-access=subscription }}{{Cite journal |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/104167028/212575008 |title=Neotrygon orientalis |author=Sherman, C.S., Bin Ali, A., Bineesh, K.K., Derrick, D., Dharmadi, Fahmi, Fernando, D., Haque, A.B., Maung, A., Seyha, L., Tanay, D., Utzurrum, J.A.T., Vo, V.Q. & Yuneni, R.R. |journal=The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species IUCN |date=2020-05-20 |publisher=International Union for Conservation of Nature |doi=10.2305/iucn.uk.2022-1.rlts.t104167028a212575008.en |language=en}}
Description
This species can be distinguished from its closest congener (Neotrygon kuhlii) through several characteristics, such as abruptly angular pectoral apices, dusky ventral tail fold with darker edge, small mouth, pronounced mask-like markings, and covered with moderate-sized blue spots and dark peppery spots. The maximum size for the male specimens is 38 cm disc width (DW).
Habitat & distribution
This species distribution range encompasses the regions of Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi in Indonesia; Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia; Singapore; Brunei; Philippines; and Taiwan. It inhabits the inshore habitats and ranges from the surface to a depth of around 100 m. This species is often caught and retained as delicacy in some regions of its distribution range, namely the Bajau and Laut communities in Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines.
References
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