What is a Potamotrygon hystrix? (and some taxonomic stuff)

[jwong1024]

let not fall in love with a ray by name.

 

[DavidW]

a ray by any other name would smell as sweet

 

[rayman]

There is a illustration from Shomburgk 1843 online, the many spined trygon:
http://research.amnh.org/ichthyology/neolit/Schom1860/2plt20.html

As of Rosa, this illustration based on Orbigny`s original histrix plate. So despite Schomburgk traveled trough British Guiana and the rays he found there could not be true histrix, the illustration in his work based on the histrix plate of Orbigny from Argentina. So we can see on this illustration the coloration of the true histrix from Argentina.

This is chaotic, isn't it?

 

[rayman]

A picture of a ray from Argentina. From the coloration this could be a true histrix, but without scientific work no one can say this for sure.

http://www.aquatarium.de/home/pict/import13/Potamotrygon-hystrix.jpg

 

[DavidW]

It may be confusing but it is also part of what is fascinating about rays imo

 

[JD7.62]

Ive been saying that the "true" hystrix out of brazil is NOT a true Hystrix for awhile now.

There is a guy that posted a ray he said is from Argentina or Paraguay (I cant remember off the top of my head) and he doesnt know why it is. I am willing to BET that his fish is the holotype hystrix.

Its a BAD ASS looking ray and very small, if I remember correctly it (a male) was completely matured at 6".

I forwarded the pics to some one who has contacts in Argentina and they have seen that ray there. Too bad its cost prohibitive to import rays from that far south.

I have family in Paraguay who catches rays all the time (they are a nuisance) but we cant figure out how to get them stateside.

 

[Tom]

I love this thread.

 

[Superlaz]

BUMP

 

[DB junkie]

Sounds even more confusing then "Mantillas"

 

[Kolossus]

Confusing indeed