#hypanus

NEW SIGHTINGS OF THE DIAMOND STINGRAY IN CHILE: A HIDDEN SPECIES REVEALED WITH HELP FROM FISHERMEN

The diamond stingray is easily recognized by its diamond-shaped body, smooth skin with few spines, and long tail armed with a venomous barb. This species has a broad distribution, ranging from southern California to northern Peru, where it is relatively common. However, until recently, its presence in Chile was only known from a single record dating back to the 1980s.

Thanks to photographs shared by recreational shore fishermen, the presence of the diamond stingray has been confirmed along the entire Peruvian coast and the northernmost regions of Chile. Researchers used social media platforms to search for photographs of rays and sharks, identifying that this species had been regularly captured in the region. By combining these new sightings with historical distribution data, scientists employed ecological modeling tools to predict the potential habitats of the diamond stingray in its southern range.

While this discovery confirms the presence of the diamond stingray in Chile, it also raises new conservation concerns. This species is not currently protected by Chilean legislation and faces several threats, including habitat destruction, entanglement in fishing gear, and overfishing due to its slow growth and low reproductive rates. The species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, highlighting the need for increased conservation efforts. Fishermen and divers who contribute photographs through social media serve as valuable sentinels, providing critical data for researchers, but much about the ray’s ecology and the specific threats it faces in Chile remains unknown. Further research and targeted conservation strategies are needed to safeguard this species and its newly identified habitats.

Photo: Oceanfreaks Dive Center

Atlantic stingray (Hypanus sabinus).