Arabian Black Electric Ray:
Researchers have discovered a new species of electric ray, named the Arabian Black Electric Ray (Tetronarce ramanamurthyi), in the deep waters of the southeastern Arabian Sea.
- Arabian Black Electric Ray was discovered in the Arabian Sea.
- It is the first confirmed record of the genus Tetronarce in the northern Indian Ocean.
- It features a uniform dark bluish-black or dark brown upper body surface with a whitish belly, lacking any skin bumps (papillae) around its breathing holes (spiracles).
- It forms an independent evolutionary lineage well-separated from all other known electric ray species globally.
- Electric Ray refers to a type of cartilaginous fish capable of producing an electric shock.
- These rays are characterized by their flat bodies and enlarged pectoral fins that are fused to their heads.
- The electric rays are found worldwide in tropical, subtropical, and temperate bodies of water and are commonly found to inhabit and prefer shallow waters
- These are mesopredators, typically prey on smaller animals
- They have electric shock producing ability which helps them to stun their prey.
