Yellowback Stingaree, Urolophus sufflavus Whitley 1929

Scientific name: Urolophus sufflavus
Alternative name/s:
Yellow-back Stingaree, Yellow-backed Stingaree
  • Updated
    19/06/24
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Yellowback Stingaree, Urolophus sufflavus Click to enlarge image
Yellowback Stingaree, Urolophus sufflavus. Image: Ken Graham
© CC BY-NC 4.0

Fast Facts

  • IUCN Conservation Status
    VULNERABLE (VU)
  • Classification
    Genus
    Urolophus
    Species
    sufflavus
    Family
    Urolophidae
    Order
    Myliobatiformes
    Subclass
    Elasmobranchii
    Class
    Chondrichthyes
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 42cm in length.

Introduction

The Yellowback Stingaree, Urolophus sufflavus, is a common but not well understood species, inhabiting offshore waters along the east coast of Australia.

What do Yellowback Stingarees look like?

Identification

Maximum total length of the Yellowback Stingaree is 42 cm, with males maturing at about 23 cm. It is characterised by a uniform yellowish colour on its upper side.

Where do Yellowback Stingarees live?

Habitat

Yellowback Stingarees prefers soft substrates and are found on the ocean floor at depths of 45 to 300 meters, most commonly occurring at depths of 100 to 160 meters on the outer continental shelf.

Distribution

Endemic to eastern Australia, the Yellowback Stingaree's range spans from North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, to Green Cape New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

What do Yellowback Stingarees eat?

Feeding and diet

The specific dietary habits of the Yellowback Stingaree are not well known, but it likely feeds on small bony fishes, crustaceans, and other benthic invertebrates found within its habitat.

Conservation status

Primary threats

The Yellowback Stingaree is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. The primary threat to the Yellowback Stingaree is being caught and discarded as bycatch in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) off eastern Australia.

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