Status of Stingrays (Order Myliobatiformes) Captured 1972–2010 at Two Sites in Onslow Bay, Atlantic Ocean, North Carolina

Abstract

Abstract Eight species of stingrays (Order Myliobatiformes) were collected by trawl and longline 1972–2010 at two Onslow Bay sites, Atlantic Ocean, North Carolina. Three species: Gymnura altavela, Dasyatis say and Myliobatis freminvillei were collected more often during a cooler water peiod 1972–1989; five others, G. micrura, D. sabina, D. americana, Aetobatis narinari and Manta birostris during a warmer water period 1990–2010. Seven other stingray species, known from North Carolina, remain part of its stingray fauna but were not collected. Why some stingray species were more prevalent in cooler or warmer waters than others remains unresolved.