The Gulf torpedo, marbled electric ray, or variable electric ray is a species of electric ray in the family Torpedinidae. At birth, young marbled electric rays measure less than six inches on average, but already possess fully functional electric organs to capture prey.The conservation status of the marbled electric ray remains data deficient as defined by the IUCN Red List, but these rays are known to be a product of Oceana joined forces with Sailors for the Sea, an ocean conservation organization dedicated to educating and engaging the world’s boating community. The raising of the disc draws water beneath it and pulls the prey towards the ray, while the lowering of the disc and the tail beats move the ray towards the prey in small increments. Marbled electric rays are generally found in waters no more than 100 feet deep.Electric rays are unique from other rays in that they lack venomous scales or barbs. Other common names are battinetta (Italian), dali (French), dormideira (Portuguese), dormihouso (French), dourmillouse (French), dretwa pstra (Polish), elektrický rejnok mramorovaný (Czech), elektrisk rokke (Danish), endourmidouijda (French), flekket el-rokke (Norwegian), galina (French), gemarmerde si… The black and brown speckled skin of these rays, resembling dark marbled floors, is ideal for camouflaging against the seafloor habitats where they live. The specific epithet marmorata means "marbled" in Latin, and refers to the ray's color pattern. When it reaches the prey, the ray opens its mouth to suck it in. It can be distinguished from the electric ray Tetronarce nobiliana by the colouration which is marbled pale and dark brown in the marbled electric ray and dark greyish-blue to brown in Tetronarce nobiliana.. Electric rays are best known … In rocky reefs and seagrass beds, the marbled electric ray buries itself in muddy bottoms during the daylight hours.
Oftentimes, only the ray’s eyes are visible above the sand. 10011).Nocturnal, usually burying itself during the day with only the eyes and spiracle jutting out (Ref.
Because no type specimens are known, in 1999 Ronald Fricke designated Risso's original illustration as the species lectotype. Order Torpediniformes (electric or torpedo rays), Family Torpedinidae (electric or torpedo rays) The marbled electric ray, also known as the marbled torpedo ray, is one of many ray species that will literally leave prey in shock. It is active in the night. When we approached it acted in typical defense behavior.
While there are around twenty ray species which are capable of giving an electric shock Torpedo nobiliana is the largest and the most powerful. Equipped with electric organs, this ray is an advanced ambush predator whose mottled skin color renders it nearly invisible to unsuspecting eyes. This is normal behavior of this species. Some sharks and other large carnivorous fish have been known to confront marbled electric rays. It has a wide distribution, being found in warm and temperate waters off the coasts of North and South America, around Africa and throughout the Mediterranean. The body of the marbled electric ray is soft and flabby, and entirely lacks Like other members of its family, the marbled electric ray can produce a strong Known parasites of the marbled electric ray include the Two distinct types of prey capture behavior have been observed in the marbled electric ray.
Tweet; Description: Found this one in shallow water at 2-3 meters deep. Because of this ray’s formidable demeanor, few other predators of the sea dare to hunt electric rays. Additional information. The first is "jumping", used by the ray to attack The second type of prey capture behavior is "creeping", used by the ray for stationary or slow-moving prey; this includes stunned prey that may have drifted out of reach from a jumping attack. Sign up today to get weekly updates and action alerts from Oceana. Marbled Electric Ray. Despite many people seeing this species as exotic it is found in British waters to the south and the west of the British Isles with the western English Channel, Celtic sea and waters off the c…
Then, the ray jumps on prey while emitting electrical shocks to stun it.
Occurs in seagrass areas, rocky reefs, and adjacent soft bottoms (Ref. 12951).Avoids temperatures above 20°C (Ref. Summary 2 The marbled electric ray (Torpedo marmorata) is a species of electric ray in the family Torpedinidae found in the coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean from the North Sea to South Africa.This benthic fish inhabits rocky reefs, seagrass beds, and sandy and muddy flats in shallow to moderately deep waters. Eastern Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea It is found in the Indian Ocean, but may represent a species flock of several local endemic species. In creeping, the ray makes small up and down motions of its disc coupled with small beats of its tail.