Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Spine structure of scaly stingray, Himantura imbricata (Bloch & Schneider,1801)

Volume 50 Issue 2

V. Ravi, P. Murugesan, T. T. Ajith Kumar and S. S. Kumaresan

Abstract

The spine structure of the scaly stingray, Himantura imbricata was studied by SEM observation. Morphometric and meristic characteristics of the stingray (disc width: 7.3 to 25 cm) were also recorded. The SEM study revealed that two spines (one overlapping the other) have glandular tissues and a sheath. They were highly pigmented and dark brown in color. The middle part of the spine was hard and thick with dermis material. There were 31 to 35 laterally arranged arrow-shaped and serrated spines in the left and right sides

respectively. The length and breadth of the spine tip ranged from 86.1 to 395 μm and from 54.1 μm to 331 μm, respectively.

Keywords

Stingray, Himantura imbricata, spine, SEM observation

Date : 06-06-2009