Taeniura Müller & Henle, 1837

Last, Peter R., Naylor, Gavin J. P. & Manjaji-Matsumoto, B. Mabel, 2016, A revised classification of the family Dasyatidae (Chondrichthyes: Myliobatiformes) based on new morphological and molecular insights, Zootaxa 4139 (3), pp. 345-368 : 359

Genus Taeniura Müller & Henle, 1837

Taeniura Müller & Henle, 1837:117 . Type species Trygon ornatus Gray, 1830 (= Raja lymma Forsskål, 1775 ); by monotypy.

Definition. Small dasyatids (adults to 22–37 cm DW) characterised by the following: moderately robust, oval disc with pectoral-fin apex broadly rounded; snout obtuse and short (1.6–2.2 times combined orbit and spiracle length); eye large and protruding greatly; nasal curtain medium-sized, bilobed; mouth not small, with 2 large median oral papillae; tail firm and typically moderately short (length 1.5–1.7 times DW), its base broad and depressed; pelvic fins long and pointed, protruding slightly; dorsal fold rudimentary or forming a ridge; ventral fold deep with a long base; caudal sting positioned well posterior on tail (distance from pectoral-fin insertion to caudal-sting base 4.5–5 times interspiracular width); skin smooth and denticle band absent; 1–2 rows of very small median thorns in most adults, no other thorns on disc; tail smooth; strong dorsal colour pattern of vivid blue spots on disc (no dark masklike marking around eyes or black and white bands on tail); ventral surface white, disc margin yellowish; marine, Indo– West Pacific.

Species. T. lymma (Forsskål, 1775) and an undescribed species.

Remarks. Distinctive and locally abundant rays on coral reefs of the tropical Indo– West Pacific. An undescribed species occurs in Melanesia.