Hexatrygon bickelli Heemstra & Smith, 1980

Sixgill Stingray

Hexatrygon bickelli Heemstra & Smith, 1980: 6, figs 1–13, 15. Holotype: SAIAB [formerly RUSI] 997, washed up on beach at Port Elizabeth, South Africa, ca. 33°59.5'S, 25°40.7'E.

Local synonymy: Hexatrygon bickelli: Heemstra & Smith, 1980: 6, figs 1–13, 15; Smith & Heemstra, 1986b: 142, fig. 31.1; Compagno et al., 1989: 100, pl.; Compagno, 1999: 117; Ebert, 2014: 88, fig. 136; Ebert, 2015: 191, fig. 216; Ebert & van Hees, 2015: 147; Séret & de Carvalho, 2016: 510, fig. 23.1; Weigmann, 2016: 989.

South Africa voucher material: SAIAB 997, SAIAB 27054.

South African distribution: Port Elizabeth (EC) and possibly the west coast (WC).

Remarks: The type specimen for this remarkable species was a female that washed up on Summerstrand Beach, Port Elizabeth (EC). The pregnant female gave birth to three near-term embryos that were also retained as part of the type series.

Conservation status: LC (2015).