Southern eagle ray

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The southern eagle ray (Myliobatis goodei) is a large ray in the family Myliobatidae. It is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

Where it lives and moves
It swims along the Atlantic coast from Florida to Argentina, in estuaries and bays. It mostly stays in shallow water (usually under 100 meters) but can be found down to about 200 meters. It moves seasonally: births occur in spring and summer in its coastal habitats, and adults migrate to the open sea in autumn and winter.

What it looks like
The ray has a rounded, disc-like body. The average width is about 99 cm and length is around 60–80 cm, with some individuals reaching up to 125 cm. The top is dark brown, the underside is light brown or white, and the edges are usually darker. It has no spines on its disc and is often confused with the bullnose ray, a related species.

What it eats
It is a carnivore that feeds on small invertebrates, such as shrimp, crabs, and snails.

How it reproduces
The southern eagle ray is ovoviviparous: eggs stay inside the mother until they hatch, first feeding on yolk, then receiving nourishment from uterine fluid.

Status and threats
The species is fairly common but faces threats from fishing. It is often caught by nets and trawls, especially in the Caribbean, parts of Brazil, and Venezuela. Currently there are no specific conservation measures in place for this ray.