Kinds Of Prey Research Articles

Feeding of the Amphipod Gammarus aequicauda in the Presence of the Planktonic Cladoceran Moina salina and the Benthic Chironomid Larvae Baeotendipes noctivagus

The energy balance approach helps to understand the limits within which the ‘predator–prey’ relationship can form, but cannot explain the formation of trophic links in natural multispecies systems. A time balance approach to the study of feeding has been developed to complement it. In the hypersaline Lake Moynaki (Crimea) which has a simple food web, there is one omnivorous species, Gammarus aequicauda, and two abundant prey, planktonic Moina salina and benthic Baeotendipes noctivagus. The size of M. salina ranges from 1.0 to 1.2 mm, and the size of B. noctivagus larvae from 9.0 to 10.0 mm. In experiments, elements of time balance were evaluated during feeding of G. aequicauda in the presence of both prey species, i.e., the duration of time spent searching before capture, handling prey, and resting between attempts to eat a chironomid larva. In all experiments, G. aequicauda consumed both kinds of prey. The maximum predation rate of G. aequicauda on the smaller sized M. salina was limited by searching and handling time, but on the larger B. noctivagus it was limited by digestion time. Feeding solely on chironomid larvae may well satisfy the energy needs of G. aequicauda. However, the food ration of G. aequicauda may be 50% higher if it feeds in the presence of both prey species than if feeding only on chironomid larvae. The presence of chironomid larvae more than halved the consumption of M. salina, compared to when cladocerans were the only prey.

Effects of different prey on larval growth in the diving beetle Cybister sugillatus Erichson, 1834 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)

The population size of the diving beetle Cybister sugillatus Erichson 1834 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) has been declining in Japan; therefore, there is a need to understand their fundamental ecology for conservation purpose. Understanding the feeding habits in the larval stage will contribute to habitat restoration and ex situ conservation. In this study, we investigated the effects of the availability of different kinds of prey, such as Odonata nymphs and tadpoles, on larval growth of C. sugillatus. The results showed that Odonata nymphs were the preferred prey for larval growth because C. sugillatus larvae did not show significant growth on tadpoles alone. This trend was also observed in other Cybister species. Our results suggest that habitat restoration requires the development of an environment rich in a variety of aquatic invertebrates, including Odonata nymphs. In ex situ conservation, stable rearing and breeding of C. sugillatus can be made possible by providing them with Odonata nymphs as food.

Dietary niche partitioning in Early Jurassic ichthyosaurs from Strawberry Bank.

Jurassic ichthyosaurs dominated upper trophic levels of marine ecosystems. Many species coexisted alongside each another, and it is uncertain whether they competed for the same array of food or divided dietary resources, each specializing in different kinds of prey. Here, we test whether feeding differences existed between species, applying finite element analysis to ichthyosaurs for the first time. We examine two juvenile ichthyosaur specimens, referred to Hauffiopteryx typicus and Stenopterygius triscissus, from the Strawberry Bank Lagerstätte, a shallow marine environment from the Early Jurassic of southern England (Toarcian, ~183 Ma). Snout and cranial robusticity differ between the species, with S. triscissus having a more robust snout and cranium and specializing in slow biting of hard prey, and H. typicus with its slender snout specializing in fast, but weaker bites on fast-moving, but soft prey. The two species did not differ in muscle forces, but stress distributions varied in the nasal area, reflecting differences when biting at different points along the tooth row: the more robustly snouted Stenopterygius resisted increases or shifts in stress distribution when the bite point was shifted from the posterior to the mid-point of the tooth row, but the slender-snouted Hauffiopteryx showed shifts and increases in stress distributions between these two bite points. The differences in cranial morphology, dentition and inferred stresses between the two species suggest adaptations for dietary niche partitioning.

Feeding behavior of Gammarus aequicauda in the presence of two prey species of Artemia sp. and Baeotendipes noctivagus.

Gammarus aequicauda is the most abundant amphipod species in the Crimean hypersaline lakes, and is predatory upon other invertebrate species, suppressing their populations. The authors studied a time balance during the feeding of G. aequicauda in the presence of two prey species. The different variants of prey composition were: (1)two Artemia sp., (2)two chironomid larvae, and (3)one Artemia sp. and one chironomid larva. The duration of the experiments differed and continued until both prey were consumed. The experiments were carried out in vessels with and without bottom sediments. The result showed that in vessels with and without sediments in the case of both species of prey, the time to the capture of the first prey did not depend on whether Artemia sp. or chironomid larva was the first prey; the time differences are statistically insignificant. The duration of eating prey in all experimental variants depended on the kind of prey, and those differences were highly significant. The average hourly consumption rate was dependent on prey composition and order of prey capture and eating. The maximum consumption for two prey was when both were brine shrimp. In vessels without sediments and containing both Artemia sp. and chironomid larva the consumption rate was higher if the first caught prey was Artemia sp. rather than сhironomid larva. The order of prey eating did not influence a ration size in vessels with bottom sediments. When both prey were chironomid larvae, the total diet did not practically differ in vessels with or without sediments.

Short communication: The preference and functional response of Sycanus aurantiacus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) on three prey types in laboratory conditions

Abstract. Yuliadhi KA, Supartha IW, Wijaya IN, Pudjianto, Nurmansyah A, Susila IW, Yudha IKW, Utama IWEK, Wiradana PA. 2021. Short communication: The preference and functional response of Sycanus aurantiacus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) on three prey types in laboratory conditions. Biodiversitas 22: 5662-5667. Sycanus aurantiacus Ishikawa et Okajima (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) is a valuable predatory insect that can be cultivated in biological pest control programs, particularly in vegetable crops. The research aimed to investigate the preferences and functional responses of the predator Sycanus aurantiacus to three different prey species in the laboratory conditions, included Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus), Crocidolomia pavonana (Fabricius), and Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus). The preference experiment was carried out by monitoring the prey on which S. aurantiacus preyed the most. The functional responsiveness of S. aurantiacus was determined by measuring the time it took to detect and prey on various kinds of prey, as well as the number of prey that were successfully preyed upon when the quantity of prey was increased. The predatory S. aurantiacus preferred P. xylostella over C. pavonana and T. molitor. S. aurantiacus functional response to three kinds of prey, including type II, is shown. In P. xylostella, the instantaneous prey search rate (a) was 0.2/hour, with a handling time (Th) of 1 hour 40 minutes/prey, which was quicker than the other two kinds of prey. As a result of our findings, the predator S. aurantiacus can be maintained in the lab and has the potential to be developed as an efficient biocontrol agent, particularly against the cabbage leaf caterpillar P. xylostella.

Trophic breadth niche, prey preference and developmental time of a Balaustium sp. (Acari: Erythraeidae) from Argentina

Trophic breadth niche, prey preference and developmental time of an unidentified Balaustium sp. (Acari: Erythraeidae) were studied under laboratory conditions. The prey offered consisted of immature and adult stages of Tetranychus urticae Koch, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) and Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas). The breadth of the trophic niche increased as mites developed. All active stages of Balaustium sp . consumed more than one kind of prey. Adults were the most generalist while larvae can be considered oligophagous. Larval instar significantly selected T. urticae eggs, deutonymphs substantially chose whiteflies, and thrips nymphs and adults were non-selective, eating any type of prey they could catch. Details of the development of the different stages are provided.

Direct and Indirect Impact of Artemisia judaica Extract on Euseius scutalis

The potential of extract of Artemisia Judaica L. against the predator Euseius scutalis (Athias-Henriot) and two kinds of prey that fed on them, first-instar nymphs of whitefly and second instar larvae of onion thrips, The results showed that, the effect of extract on B. tabaci nymphs recorded great decline in the rate of mortality to 26.8% compared to 81.6% respectively; The same results on T. tabaci larvae were increased from 23.95% to 77% respectively, by increasing the applied concentration from 125 to 2000 ppm., while when newly emerged E. scutalis adult treated with the same concentration of extract increased total percent mortality such increase was concentration dependent. Indirect exposure technique of is more effective than the direct exposure technique. Therefore, when using the plant extract and the predator in one control program is recommended to spray the extract first and then release the predator about 48 hours later.

Feeding Frequency, Prey Acceptance, and Natural Diet of the Mygalomorph Spider Acanthogonatus centralis Goloboff 1995 (Araneae: Nemesiidae).

Gabriel Pompozzi and Sofía Copperi (2018) The family Nemesiidae is the second most diverse family of Mygalomorphae spiders. Acanthogonatus centralis (Nemesiidae) is commonly found in hilly areas of central Argentina. These spiders are considered generalists due to their basal position in the phylogeny, but little is known about the trophic ecology of the species. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to study some of the species' predatory traits, such as feeding frequency and prey acceptance, and to assess its natural diet. In addition, two parameters - attack latency and consumption time - were measured for each accepted prey. We found that A. centralis feeds every two days and accepts almost all prey offered. The most accepted prey items were beetle larvae and termites. In fact, termites were attacked faster than any other prey, suggesting they are a suitable prey for these spiders. In regard to the species' natural diet, we found remains of seven prey items, ants and beetles being the most frequent. In this study, we found that Acanthogonatus centralis is polyphagous since it accepts different kinds of prey.

Suitability of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotype-B and Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) as prey for the ladybird beetle, Serangium japonicum (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

The ladybird, Serangium japonicum (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is one of the most important predators of whiteflies in China, however, the suitability of different kinds of prey and nutritional requirements of this predator are poorly studied. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the pre-imaginal development, percentage survival of immatures, adult longevity and fecundity of S. japonicum when reared on two different species of prey, mixed ages of the cotton whitefly Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotype-B (i.e., eggs and nymphs) and green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in order to quantify their relative suitability as prey under laboratory conditions of 25 ± 1°C, 50 ± 10% RH and a photoperiod of 16L : 8D. The results of this study indicate that the total developmental period (from egg to adult) was shorter when they were fed on B. tabaci (18.29 ± 0.13 days) than on M. persicae (19.85 ± 0.22 days). The percentage survival of the immatures, growth index, development rate, adult fresh weight, fecundity and percentage of eggs hatching were higher and the pre-oviposition period was significantly shorter when S. japonicum were fed on B. tabaci than on M. persicae. In contrast, there was no significant difference in their longevity and oviposition period when fed on B. tabaci and M. persicae. The results indicate that as a diet for S. japonicum M. persicae is inferior to B. tabaci. This is the first record of S. japonicum being able to complete its development feeding exclusively on M. persicae. Since B. tabaci and M. persicae often simultaneously occur in vegetable fields, these results indicate that it is likely that S. japonicum could be utilized to control mixed populations of aphids and whiteflies, and furthers our understanding of ladybird population dynamics in the field in relation to the availability of different species of prey.

Spatial Niche Separation on the Periphery Range of Argiope bruennichi and Its Effect With Araneus quadratus (Araneae: Araneidae).

Recent decades have witnessed an intensified expansion of thermophilic organisms from southern into northern Europe. Argiope bruennichi, an orb-weaver spider species, is extending its range relatively fast and gradually becoming a common species in Europe. The aim of this study was to investigate how this relatively newly-come taxon is affecting another orb-weaver spider species and whether it demonstrates features of an invasive species. Interactions were examined between this species and another dominant species with similar body and web size, Araneus quadratus. The study areas were located in two adjacent regions in northeast Poland: the warmer Mazury Lake District and the colder Suwalki Lake District. The areas differed in both population density of the studied species as well as in climatic conditions. Six study sites were selected in each region. In the Mazury Lake District, A. bruennichi was more frequent than A. quadratus; this relationship was reversed in the Suwalki Lake District. We measured the height of the web hub above the ground and the height of the plants to which webs were fixed. Web location height was chosen as an indicator of the interaction. The results indicate that A. quadratus located its webs higher than A. bruennichi, regardless of species abundance and region. A. bruennichi does not exert a significant negative impact on A. quadratus web placement. The two species clearly prefer different heights, which in turn may determine the kind of prey they catch.

Ninety million years of chasing mites by ant-like stone beetles

Among insects, the largest group of the Animal Kingdom, rove beetles (Staphylinidae) have undergone an enormous adaptive radiation that resulted in over 62,000 extant species showing diverse body forms, structures and feeding specializations combining predaceous, mycophagous, saprophagous and phytophagous habits in one family. The morphology of extinct and extant species is well studied, but the evolutionary history of such a broad range of adaptations is scarcely documented in the fossil record, and therefore poorly understood. One of the most puzzling specializations is that of predaceous ant-like stone beetles (Scydmaeninae), a staphylinid subfamily whose members choose not a soft-bodied prey, but the most heavily sclerotized, well-protected armoured mites. Scydmaenines have evolved a unique prey capturing apparatus with adhesive suckers to capture their prey, and the feeding process is remarkably long, often exceeding 30h. The mouthparts with paired suckers cannot be used to catch any other kind of prey, and therefore finding such a device in extinct taxa implies specialized acarophagy. For the first time, we demonstrate that this very narrow specialization has ancient origins, and the Mesozoic (Turonian) Hyperstenichnus vendeanus Jałoszyński & Perrichot, gen. et sp. nov. from Vendean (French) amber was already an advanced, specialized mite killer. Surprisingly, the mouthpart modifications of the new species are more advanced than those in its extant relatives, suggesting that its (possibly too) narrowly specialized lineage has gone extinct. A long stasis of morphological structures is well known among Staphylinidae, and now also antiquity of narrow feeding specializations in rove beetles can be postulated, with unique habits remaining unchanged for over 90millionyears.

Metaecoepidemic models with sound and infected prey migration

We present a two-patch metaecoepidemic model, in which predators, sound and infected prey occupy the first one. Both kinds of prey can migrate into a second habitat, which constitutes a refuge from the predators. Equilibria of the system and their stability properties are determined analytically and also heavily studied numerically, when too cumbersome. The results indicate that in practical situations it is necessary to carefully assess the environmental state before proceeding to any modification of it, as the consequences might be far from those foreseen.

Predatory behavior of three centipede species of the order Scolopendromorpha (Arthropoda: Myriapoda: Chilopoda)

ABSTRACT Studies related to centipede feeding and predatory behavior are rare in the literature, and are limited to observations made during fieldwork. Furthermore, they lack descriptions of prey capture. We conducted a laboratory experiment using South American specimens of Scolopendra viridicornis Newport, 1844 (n = 5), Otostigmus tibialis Brolemann, 1902 (n = 5), and Cryptops iheringi Brolemann, 1902 (n = 5), as well as 13 different kinds of prey, to map and describe their predatory behavior. The analysis of video images (65 hours of recordings) resulted in 15 behavioral categories that describe foraging, prey capture, feeding, and cleaning habits. Almost all observations (95%) concluded with the centipede killing the prey. Although we witnessed that a stimulus triggered the movement of the centipede toward the prey in all observation events (suggesting a sit-and-wait strategy), our experiments also showed that these arthropods actively forage to seek food. Field observations during the experiment allowed us to document that scolopendromorphs feed on plants when animal prey items are not available. Moreover, we observed that the size and aggressiveness of the prey determined the centipede capture process. Our results revealed that two behavioral categories were performed only by S. viridicornis , and thus might be genus or species-specific. These are: raising the first third of the body while the rest of the body remains adjacent to the substrate; and restraining the prey along the ventral region of the first third of the body with the aid of locomotory legs. We also observed some peculiar behaviors performed only by O. tibialis . Our results confirm that S. viridicornis , O. tibialis and C. iheringi hold prey between their ultimate pair of legs.

TINGKAH LAKU MAKAN ELANG LAUT PERUT PUTIH (Haliaeetus leucogaster) DI PUSAT PENYELAMATAN SATWA TASIK OKI SULAWESI UTARA

INGESTING BEHAVIOUR OF WHITE BELLIED SEA EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucogaster) IN TASIKOKI CENTRAL WILD ANIMAL RESCUE IN MINAHASA UTARA. This study aimed to describe the ingesting of white bellied sea eagle (Halliaetus leucogaster) in Tasikoki Central Wild Animal Rescue on safeguarding cage as one of the conservation strategy for translocation purpose. The expected benefits was to provide information about ingesting behavior of white bellied sea eagle and the reference knowledge information in the field of wild life conservation measures. This research was conducted using observational methods and instantaneous animal sampling technique of 14 animal samples. Study began at 07.00 am until 17.00 pm. The variables observed is observing prey, catching prey and ingesting prey of white bellied sea eagle as the variables of this study. The observing result is showed that white bellied sea eagle was ingesting fish and other eagle (cannibal animal). The ingesting behavior was affected by the kind of prey, which one of the favorite prey of white bellied sea eagle. The other eagle and the agonistic behavior mostly happened when they prey the other eagle. White bellied sea eagle observed the prey and other thing around the cage with the percentage of 3%. White bellied sea eagle only catches fish with a percentage of 1%. White bellied sea eagle was ingesting prey with a percentage of 96%. The animal was very sensitive in ingesting fish more than ingesting other eagle. Keywords : White bellied sea eagle (Halliaetus leucogaster), Ingesting Behavior, Tasikoki Central Wild Animal Rescue Tasikoki.

Short-term responses of wolf feeding habits to changes of wild and domestic ungulate abundance in Northern Italy

Long-term changes of wolf feeding habits have been recorded in several parts of its European range and were related to the increase of wild ungulate populations. An increased use of wild prey often is linked to a decrease of predation on livestock, and consequently it can reduce wolf–human conflict and make for easier predator conservation. We analysed wolf diet from scats collected from 2007 to 2012 in a 927.3-km2 area of the Northern Apennines (Northern Italy) to compare the present diet to that recorded in the late 1980s when the area was colonised by wolves, and to examine short-term changes of wolf feeding habits together with annual and seasonal variations of wild and domestic ungulate selection, possibly related to the increase of wild ungulate abundance. We calculated the availability proportions of wild ungulate species from the presence signs recorded on itineraries and those of livestock species from the data on farms of veterinary services. We identified 17 kinds of prey, pooled into six categories, of which wild ungulates (70%) and livestock (20%) were the most important. During the study period, we observed a reduction in the diet breadth of wolves, to a greater use of wild ungulates, depending on the increase in the availability of wild prey species. Significant seasonal variations were observed in the trophic habits of the wolf, but generally there was a wide use of wild ungulates, especially wild boars. Livestock was mainly used in summer, which corresponds to the period of greatest presence of domestic ungulates on the pastures. Considering the study period, a fast response of wolf feeding habits to the increase of wild ungulate species resulted, together with changes in selection patterns. The change in diet towards a greater use of wild ungulates is an important step in the recovery and conservation of the wolf.

Diet of the Little Owl (Athene noctua) during the pre-reproductive period in a semi-arid Mediterranean region

The assessment of feeding conditions and variations in diet composition over the pre-breeding period of birds plays a keyrole in the understanding of reproductive performance. Pellets regurgitated by the Little Owl, Athene noctua, were collected from Boulhilet (Batna, north-east Algeria). The analysis of 48 pellets resulted in the identification of 471 prey-items of 38 different species classified into 6 classes, 7 orders, 21 families, and 35 genera. Although the diet of the Little Owl mainly consists of arthropods, it is highly diverse (Food Niche Breadth = 14.5, Shannon index = 4.4 bits). Insects are made up 90% of the consumed food; however, they accounted only for 8% of the total biomass. Small mammal prey constituting a rich source of energy during the pre-breeding period, when other kinds of prey are not available due to cold conditions, made up 72% of the diet biomass. We found no significant variation in rodents as a component (number of prey-individuals, biomass, and prey-species richness, prey-s...

Maioricalacerta rafelinensis, gen. et sp. nov. (Squamata, Lacertidae), from the early Pliocene of Mallorca (Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean Sea)

ABSTRACT Here we describe a new genus and species of Lacertidae, Maioricalacerta rafelinensis, gen. et sp. nov, a large-sized lizard with amblyodont teeth from the early Pliocene (Zanclean) of Mallorca (Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean Sea). The presence of amblyodont teeth separates Maioricalacerta from recent species of Lacertidae. Maioricalacerta differs from the amblyodont lacertids of the European Tertiary (Quercycerta, Escampcerta, Mediolacerta, Pseudeumeces, Dracaenosaurus, Amblyolacerta, and Ligerosaurus) in the anteroposterior and mediolateral widening of the teeth and in the wide lateral wall of the dentary, which is massive, relatively short, and robust. Dracaenosaurus displays a similar morphology of the dentary, but the number of teeth is lower and they are more amblyodont than in Maioricalacerta. The dentition observed in Maioricalacerta suggests that the diet of the species was related to a consumption of hard prey, perhaps molluscs. The length reduction of the dentary constitutes an evolutionary biomechanical advantage to consume this kind of prey as it improves jaw-closing force. However, its movement is likely to have been slower but potentially more accurate. The robustness of the dental structures in Maioricalacerta also contributes to enhance the resistance of the bone against the increased static pressure to which it is subjected during jaw closure. Maioricalacerta is the most Recent amblyodont lacertid known and the only one described from the Pliocene of Europe.

The role of learning in risk-avoidance strategies during spider–ant interactions

Cognitive abilities used by arthropods, particularly predators, when interacting in a natural context have been poorly studied. Two neotropical sympatric predators, the golden silk spider Nephila clavipes and the ectatommine ant Ectatomma tuberculatum, were observed in field conditions where their interactions occurred regularly due to the exploitation of the same patches of vegetation. Repeated presentations of E. tuberculatum workers ensnared in their web triggered a progressive decrease in the capture response of N. clavipes. All the spiders that stopped trying to catch the ant on the second and/or third trial were individuals that had been bitten during a previous trial. Behavioural tests in natural field conditions showed that after a single confrontation with ant biting, spiders were able to discriminate this kind of prey more quickly from a defenceless prey (fruit flies) and to selectively and completely suppress their catching response. This one-trial aversive learning was still effective after 24h. Likewise, E. tuberculatum workers entangled once on a N. clavipes web and having succeeded in escaping, learned to escape more quickly, breaking through the web by preferentially cutting spiral threads (sticky traps) rather than radial threads (stronger structural unsticky components) or pursuing the cutting of radials but doing it more quickly. Both strategies, based on a one-trial learning capability, obviously minimize the number of physical encounters between the two powerful opponents and may enhance their fitness by diminishing the risk of potential injuries resulting from predatory interactions.

Prey-capture efficiency between juveniles and adults, feeding habitat and abundance of Wattled Jacana foragers in northern Pantanal, Mato Grosso state, Brazil

The choice of foraging strategies implies an attempt at gaining energy by predators. Supposedly, the difference in employing the "sit and wait" or "active foraging" behavior lays in hunter skills, experience and the kind of prey consumed. With the hypothesis that "active foraging" demands no learning, in this study we compared the prey capture efficiency among Wattled Jacana juveniles and adults, and also present descriptive information about feeding habitat and the abundance variation of foragers throughout the day in the northern Pantanal. Prey capture efficiency did not differ significantly among juveniles and adults, corroborating our initial hypothesis that "active foraging" is an instinctive behavior and demands no experience to be effective. However, future work is necessary to compare the energetic quality of consumed items by juveniles and adults, searching for differences explained by adults' experience. Foraging individuals were found at an average distance of 14 m ranging from 2 to 42 m) from the margin of the sampled swamps, however 64% of the foragers were found closer to the margins. The average depth of foraging sites was 17 cm, ranging from 5 to 40 cm, although no preference for specific classes of depth was found (p > 0,05). Despite the accepted general pattern of birds being more active in the early morning, the largest number of individuals foraging was observed between 11:00 and 12:00 AM, but no significant difference was found in the abundance of foraging individuals among different periods of the day. Factors, which were not analyzed, such as food availability and presence of competitors and predators need to be studied to reveal the main factors of the spatial and temporal distribution of the Wattled Jacana.

A new genus and species of fossil myliobatoid ray from the Fishburne Formation (lower Eocene/Ypresian) of Berkeley County, South Carolina, USA

Elasmobranch fossils recovered from the Fishburne Formation (lower Eocene/Ypresian) of Berkeley County, South Carolina, USA, include species from four genera of sharks and six genera of rays. Of particular interest was the recovery of multiple isolated teeth from a new genus and species of the cownosed ray family Rhinopteridae, which is the focus of this study. The unique crown morphology separates this genus and species from Rhinoptera. Eorhinoptera grabdai, gen. et sp. nov., is represented by small, bar-shaped teeth in the shape of greatly elongated hexagons. These teeth are the isolated elements of a dental plate. The holotype, with 12 wide root lobes, is the most elongated in the sample being 1 cm long and 1.5 mm wide, indicating an origin in the central region of the plate. Paratypes are less elongated, have 4–8 root lobes and are from more lateral rows. The crown is smooth and has a distinctly convex occlusal surface. Eorhinoptera is only the second genus of cow-nosed ray. Its distinctive crown morphology may have allowed it to exploit different kinds of prey than those favoured by rays that lacked convex tooth crowns.