Urotrygon simulatrix

{{Speciesbox

| image =

| status = VU

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref =

| genus = Urotrygon

| species = simulatrix

| authority = Miyake & McEachran, 1988

}}

Urotrygon simulatrix, the fake round ray, is a type of marine tropical ray originally found only in Panama, but has also been recorded in other countries.{{Cite journal |date=2008-12-01 |title=Urotrygon simulatrix: Robertson, R. & Valenti, S.V. |url=https://doi.org/10.2305/iucn.uk.2009-2.rlts.t161394a5413677.en |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species|doi=10.2305/iucn.uk.2009-2.rlts.t161394a5413677.en }}{{Cite book |last1=Fischer |first1=W. |url=https://www.fao.org/4/t0852s/t0852s00.htm |title=FAO Guide for the Identification of Species for Fisheries Purposes (Central-Eastern Pacific) |last2=Krupp |first2=F. |last3=Schneider |first3=W. |last4=Sommer |first4=C. |last5=Carpenter |first5=K.E. |last6=Niem |first6=V.H. |date=1995 |publisher=FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS |isbn=92-5-303409-2 |volume=2 |location=Rome |pages=786–792 |language=Es}}

Description

Not much is known of its biology, except the fact that it has a venomous spine on its tail. This demersal species can reach a maximum total length of approximately 27 cm.

Habitat & distribution

This extremely rare stingray is thought to be an endemic species on Gulf of Panama, but there have been several specimens collected from Mexico and Costa Rica. This species' distribution area is still poorly defined and might be more wide-ranging. It is usually caught as bycatch by fisheries in Gulf of Panama.

References

simulatrix