What is the difference between the Oscellate River Stingray (Potamotrygon motoro) and the Thornback Ray (Raja clavata)?
The Oscellate River Stingray is a marine (saltwater) fish, whereas the Thornback Ray is a freshwater river fish.
Both the Oscellate River Stingray and the Thornback Ray have two raised eyes, close together, on the top of their backs.
The Oscellate River Stingray has a beige or brown body with numerous yellow-orange dark-ringed spots, whereas the Thornback Ray varies in colour from light-grey or light-brown with either dark or light blotches.
The Oscellate River Stingray has a flat, roundish body, whereas the Thornback Ray has a flat, diamond or kite-shaped body.
The Oscellate River Stingray has a smooth body, whereas the Thornback Ray has many prickly thorns on its body.
The Oscellate River Stingray is native to the Rio de la Plata, Amazon, Mearim, and Orinoco river basins in South America, whereas the Thornback Ray is native to the coastal waters of Europe, the Atlantic Ocean of western Africa, and the Mediterranean Sea of North Africa.
[Location of photographs: Aquarium de Paris-Cinéaqua]
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM