How to Identify Southern Fiddler Ray

To identify Southern Fiddler Ray (Trygonorrhina dumerilii), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

flat

Coloration

Dorsal surface is typically light brown to greyish-brown, often with a distinctive pattern of dark spots, lines, or ocelli (eye-like spots) that can vary individually. The ventral surface is white. The patterns are highly variable and serve as camouflage.

Scale type

placoid

Mouth position

inferior

Distinctive features

Flattened, disc-like body anteriorly, tapering to a shark-like tail., Two prominent dorsal fins located on the tail., A caudal fin (tail fin) that is well-developed and shark-like., Snout is moderately pointed., Distinctive dark markings on the dorsal surface, often forming a 'fiddle' or 'banjo' shape, though this can be variable.

Dorsal fin

Two distinct dorsal fins, roughly equal in size, located on the posterior half of the tail.

Tail fin

Well-developed caudal fin, shark-like in appearance, with a distinct upper and lower lobe.

Pectoral fin

Large, flattened pectoral fins that form the 'disc' of the ray, fused to the head.

Distinctive fins

The overall fin structure contributes to its guitarfish morphology, with the pectoral fins forming a broad disc and the tail resembling that of a shark.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Body Shape and Coloration

   Look for the flattened, guitar-like body with a distinct shark-like tail. The dorsal coloration is key, typically light brown to grey with variable dark spots, lines, or ocelli. The 'fiddle' or 'banjo' pattern on the back is a good indicator, though not always perfectly defined.

2. 2

   Dorsal Fins

   Note the presence of two distinct dorsal fins on the tail, a characteristic feature of guitarfish.

3. 3

   Snout

   The snout is moderately pointed, not broadly rounded or extremely elongated.

4. 4

   Geographic Location

   Its occurrence is restricted to temperate southern Australian waters, which helps differentiate it from similar species found elsewhere.

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