Potamotrygon

Potamotrygon
Potamotrygon hystrix
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Subclass:	Elasmobranchii
Order:	Myliobatiformes
Family:	Potamotrygonidae
Genus:	Potamotrygon Garman, 1877
Type species
Trygon hystrix J. P. Müller & Henle, 1841

Potamotrygon is a genus of freshwater stingrays native to the rivers of South America.

Freshwater stingrays of the genus Potamotrygon are sometimes kept as exotic aquarium fish; though freshwater stingray of other genera do appear in the trade, most are from this genus. They are best kept with a deep, sandy substrate, in which they bury themselves, often with only the eyes visible. They are not territorial with other animals and can be kept in groups, provided a large enough aquarium is provided. They are carnivorous bottom feeders and require strong filtration as they are rather sensitive to water conditions. Many species of stingray have been bred in captivity, and males can be determined by the presence of claspers as in other Chondrichthyans.

Like other stingrays, the fishes of this genus have venomous barbs at the base of their tails, and are dangerous species to humans. It is said that the natives of South America fear the stingray more than they do the piranha.

An undescribed type is referred to as the Itaituba river stingray or P14 (a P-number system is sometimes used by aquarists, similar to the L-number system). This fish is superficially similar to P. henlei and P. leopoldi except for smaller spots and in larger number.

Species

There are currently 23 recognized species in this genus:

• Potamotrygon amandae Loboda & M. R. de Carvalho, 2013
• Potamotrygon boesemani Rosa, M. R. de Carvalho & Almeida Wanderley, 2008 (Emperor ray)
• Potamotrygon brachyura Günther, 1880 (short-tailed river stingray)
• Potamotrygon constellata Vaillant, 1880 (thorny river stingray)
• Potamotrygon falkneri Castex & Maciel, 1963 (largespot river stingray)
• Potamotrygon henlei Castelnau, 1855 (bigtooth river stingray)
• Potamotrygon humerosa Garman, 1913
• Potamotrygon hystrix J. P. Müller & Henle, 1834 (porcupine river stingray)
• Potamotrygon leopoldi Castex & Castello, 1970 (white-blotched river stingray)
• Potamotrygon limai Fontenelle, J. P. C. B. da Silva & M. R. de Carvalho, 2014
• Potamotrygon magdalenae A. H. A. Duméril, 1865 (Magdalena river stingray)
• Potamotrygon marinae Deynat, 2006
• Potamotrygon motoro J. P. Müller & Henle, 1841 (ocellate river stingray)
• Potamotrygon ocellata Engelhardt, 1912 (red-blotched river stingray)
• Potamotrygon orbignyi Castelnau, 1855 (smooth back river stingray)
• Potamotrygon pantanensis Loboda & M. R. de Carvalho, 2013
• Potamotrygon schroederi Fernández-Yépez, 1958 (rosette river stingray)
• Potamotrygon schuhmacheri Castex, 1964 (Parana River stingray)
• Potamotrygon scobina Garman, 1913 (raspy river stingray)
• Potamotrygon signata Garman, 1913 (Parnaiba River stingray)
• Potamotrygon tatianae J. P. C. B. da Silva & M. R. de Carvalho, 2011
• Potamotrygon tigrina M. R. de Carvalho, Sabaj Pérez & Lovejoy, 2011 (Tiger ray)
• Potamotrygon yepezi Castex & Castello, 1970 (Maracaibo River stingray)

See also

• Potamotrygonocotyle

• .