The common shovelnose ray, giant shovelnose ray or giant guitarfish[1] (Glaucostegus typus) is a species of fish in the Rhinobatidae family found in the central Indo-Pacific, ranging from India to the East China Sea, Solomon Islands and northern Australia.[1][3][4] It is found in shallow coastal areas to a depth of at least 100 m (330 ft), including mangrove, estuaries and reportedly also in freshwaters.[1][3][4] It reaches up to 2.7 m (8.9 ft) in length, and is greyish-brown to yellowish-brown above with a paler snout.[4]

Common shovelnose ray
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Order: Rhinopristiformes
Family: Glaucostegidae
Genus: Glaucostegus
Species:
G. typus
Binomial name
Glaucostegus typus
(Anonymous, referred to E. T. Bennett, 1830)[3]
Synonyms
  • Glaucostegus microphthalmus (Teng, 1959)
  • Rhinobatos typus Anonymous [Bennett], 1830

This species has been tested for colour vision using choice experiments that control for brightness. It was the first rigorous behavioural evidence for colour vision in any elasmobranch.[5]

Habitat

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Glaucostegus typus inhabits a range of environments, including marine, brackish, and freshwater ecosystems. It is commonly found at depths ranging from intertidal zones to offshore continental shelves, demonstrating adaptability to both shallow and deeper water habitats.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Kyne, P.M.; Rigby, C.L.; Dharmadi, Gutteridge, A.N. & Jabado, R.W. (2019). "Glaucostegus typus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T104061138A68623995. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T104061138A68623995.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ^ a b c Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Glaucostegus typus". FishBase. July 2017 version.
  4. ^ a b c Last; White; de Carvalho; Séret; Stehmann; Naylor, eds. (2016). Rays of the World. CSIRO. p. 116. ISBN 9780643109148.
  5. ^ Van-Eyk, S. M.; Siebeck, U. E.; Champ, C. M.; Marshall, J.; Hart, N. S. (2011). "Behavioural evidence for colour vision in an elasmobranch" (PDF). The Journal of Experimental Biology. 214 (24): 4186–4192. doi:10.1242/jeb.061853. PMID 22116761.
  6. ^ Source Name Here