The characters are not very well visible in the photographs; however, it may be the Porcupine stingray Urogymnus asperrimus (Bloch & Schneider 1801) (family DASYATIDAE).

Thank you Ronald

I don't think this is the species since the thorns on the pictures are only along the center of the body, and the body shape is less rounded. I will try uploading some more pictures

I do agree it looks like DASYATIDAE

Adi

Adi:

It would be great if you had more pictures available, especially with a better view of the body shape and the tail spine.

8-10 species of dasyatids are known from the Red Sea.

Species of Himantura as well as Pastinachus sephen usually have a different body shape, and smaller body spines. Taeniurops meyeni is more rounded, and should likewise have smaller body spines.

Neotrygon kuhlii and Taeniura lymma have different and very distinctive colour patterns.

Urogymnus asperrimus is the only dasyatid species with enlarged thorns on the back, though they are not supposed to be restricted to the midline.

Did you collect the specimen? It would be interesting to examine it.

- Ron

Hi Ron

Thank you very much, again.

we went a few times through the red sea species list, but it doesn't seem to match anything. this is where we thought we might need help.

We also thought about Dasyatis thetidis?? it's not red sea but it's relatively close. what do you think?

I got the pictures from a diver, first time we encounter this species, so I didn't get a sample, but now I will try, or at least better photos.

-Adi

The genus Dasyatis could be an option, too. However, D. thetidis usually has just a single row of spines on the back, while I can see 3-5 rows in the second image.

Dasyatis centroura from the Mediterranean might be another option, though reverse Lessepsian migration is pretty rare.

For a proper identification it would be pretty important to have a specimen available. If you manage to collect one, I would suggest you send it to HUJ Jerusalem, so that we can have a look at it next time.

Hi Adi,

I guess it may be Dasyatis centroura. I don't know if it occurs in the Red Sea but it is widely distributed in the Mediterranean Sea. This species also presents a great number of tubercles over the middle of the back from the snout to the tail base.

Best,

João

Me too., I'm agree with Ronald, means Roughtail stingray is one of mediterranean species     

It could be occurs in the Red sea...

lets to see some more photos and speciemen!!!

best

Sezginer

Bathytoshia lata, The Indopacific homologous to Bathytoshia centroura. It also occurs in Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Its eyes are smaller than other Dasyatids and its spiracle larger. This species can be encountered at depth up to 280m