Die Süßwasserstechrochen (Potamotrygonidae), kurz Süßwasserrochen, sind eine in Südamerika lebende Familie der Rochen, sowie die einzige Familie der Knorpelfische, von denen die meisten Arten im Süßwasser vorkommen. Zu ihnen zählen fünf Gattungen mit derzeit 37 bekannten Arten.[1] Die Familie ist Gegenstand aktueller Forschung, viele Arten wurden erst in den 2010ern beschrieben.
Die Potamotrygonidae sind monophyletisch[1] und eine Entwicklungslinie von Stechrochenartigen, die im Mündungsgebiet des Uramazonas lebten, als dieser noch in den Pazifik floss. Durch die Auffaltung der Anden wurden sie von ihrem bisherigen Lebensraum abgeschnitten. Die Familie entwickelte sich wahrscheinlich am Ende der Kreide oder im frühen Tertiär. Aus dem Eozän sind die Potamotrygonidae fossil überliefert. Sie zeigen durch die Reduzierung der Rektaldrüse und den geringen Harnstoffgehalt im Blut ihre Anpassung an das Süßwasser.
Es gibt auch Stechrochen in südostasiatischen Flüssen, wie den asiatischen Laos-Stechrochen, Makararaja chindwinensis und die drei Arten der Gattung Fluvitrygon. Diese gehören jedoch nicht zu den rein neotropischen Süßwasserstechrochen, sondern zu den Stechrochen (Dasyatidae) und haben sich unabhängig von den Süßwasserstechrochen der Familie Potamotrygonidae entwickelt.
Süßwasserstechrochen sind oft kreisrund, die Gattung Paratrygon etwas länger als breit. Sie haben keine Rückenflossen und keine Schwanzflosse. Der Schwanz ist peitschenförmig, mit einem giftigen, mit Widerhaken versehenen Stachel. Alle 6 bis 12 Monate wächst ein neuer Stachel nach.
Ihre Farbe ist meist braun, grau oder schwarz mit einer Zeichnung von farbigen Punkten, Flecken oder Kringeln. Sie erreichen je nach Art einen Durchmesser von 25 Zentimeter bis knapp über einen Meter (Ausnahme 1,5 bzw. 2 m bei Styracura).
Wie die meisten Rochen sind die Süßwasserrochen lebendgebärend (ovovivipar). Sie haben eine innere Befruchtung. Meist werden zwischen zwei und sieben, seltener bis zwölf Jungfische geboren, die noch Reste des Dottersacks haben können.
Die Süßwasserstechrochen sind ausschließlich in den tropischen Zonen Süd- und Mittelamerikas heimisch. Sie leben jedoch nur in Flüssen, die in den Atlantik oder in die Karibik münden, nicht jedoch im Bassin des Rio São Francisco. Die meisten Arten leben nur in einem Flusssystem, einige endemisch nur in einem bestimmten Fluss (z. B. Potamotrygon leopoldi). Nur wenige Arten, wie Potamotrygon motoro und Potamotrygon orbignyi, haben ein weiteres Verbreitungsgebiet, das mehrere Flusssysteme einschließt.
Es gibt zwei Unterfamilien, die eigentlichen Süßwasserstechrochen (Potamotrygoninae) und die marinen Styracurinae. Insgesamt umfassen die Potamotrygonidae fünf Gattungen, die über 25 Arten enthaltende Gattung Potamotrygon und vier weitere, zu denen nur zwei bzw. drei Arten gehören.
Das folgende Kladogramm zeigt die Verwandtschaft der Gattungen zueinander:[1]
Potamotrygonidae StyracurinaeDie Süßwasserstechrochen (Potamotrygonidae), kurz Süßwasserrochen, sind eine in Südamerika lebende Familie der Rochen, sowie die einzige Familie der Knorpelfische, von denen die meisten Arten im Süßwasser vorkommen. Zu ihnen zählen fünf Gattungen mit derzeit 37 bekannten Arten. Die Familie ist Gegenstand aktueller Forschung, viele Arten wurden erst in den 2010ern beschrieben.
Die Potamotrygonidae sind monophyletisch und eine Entwicklungslinie von Stechrochenartigen, die im Mündungsgebiet des Uramazonas lebten, als dieser noch in den Pazifik floss. Durch die Auffaltung der Anden wurden sie von ihrem bisherigen Lebensraum abgeschnitten. Die Familie entwickelte sich wahrscheinlich am Ende der Kreide oder im frühen Tertiär. Aus dem Eozän sind die Potamotrygonidae fossil überliefert. Sie zeigen durch die Reduzierung der Rektaldrüse und den geringen Harnstoffgehalt im Blut ihre Anpassung an das Süßwasser.
Es gibt auch Stechrochen in südostasiatischen Flüssen, wie den asiatischen Laos-Stechrochen, Makararaja chindwinensis und die drei Arten der Gattung Fluvitrygon. Diese gehören jedoch nicht zu den rein neotropischen Süßwasserstechrochen, sondern zu den Stechrochen (Dasyatidae) und haben sich unabhängig von den Süßwasserstechrochen der Familie Potamotrygonidae entwickelt.
Mayu raya (familia Potamotrygonidae) nisqakunaqa huk rayakunam, chupanpi miyusapa wach'iyuq, Urin Awya Yalapi (manataq Chilipichu) mayukunapi, misk'i yakupi kawsaq.
Lliwmanta aswan rikch'aqninkuna Amarumayu sach'a-sach'a suyup mayunkunapi kawsan. Uchuylla uywachakunatam mikhunku.
Kaymi huk rikch'aqninkuna:
Mayu raya (familia Potamotrygonidae) nisqakunaqa huk rayakunam, chupanpi miyusapa wach'iyuq, Urin Awya Yalapi (manataq Chilipichu) mayukunapi, misk'i yakupi kawsaq.
Lliwmanta aswan rikch'aqninkuna Amarumayu sach'a-sach'a suyup mayunkunapi kawsan. Uchuylla uywachakunatam mikhunku.
Žutulje (Potamotrygonidae) su porodica raža, riba sa hrskavičavim skeletom, rušljoriba. Imaju jako leđno-trbušno spljošteno tijelo koje je oblika romba i izduženo, a na stranama nešto malo zaobljeno. Grudna peraja su široko srasla sa trupom i obuhvataju glavu, gradeći prema napred špic. Leđna peraja nemaju, a rep im je dugačak u obliku biča sa jednom testerasto nazubljenom otrovnom bodljom. Rep je pretvoren u odbrambeni bič, a leđno peraje u odbrambenu bodlju. Rađaju žive mladunce (viviparni su).
Ovoj porodici pripada žutulja (Trygon pestinaca). Rep je duži od trupa pri čemu to ne prelazi 1,5 dužine trupa. Leđna strana je plavo-siva do sivo-žuta, sa proređenim bijelim tačkama. Živi na muljevitom i pjeskovitom tlu, a može se rijetko naći i među algama.
River stingrays or freshwater stingrays are Neotropical freshwater fishes of the family Potamotrygonidae in the order Myliobatiformes, one of the four orders of batoids, cartilaginous fishes related to sharks. They are found in rivers in tropical and subtropical South America (freshwater stingrays in Africa, Asia and Australia are in another family, Dasyatidae). A single marine genus, Styracura, of the tropical West Atlantic and East Pacific are also part of Potamotrygonidae. They are generally brownish, greyish or black, often with a mottled, speckled or spotted pattern, have disc widths ranging from 31 to 200 centimetres (1.0–6.6 ft) and venomous tail stingers. River stingrays feed on a wide range of smaller animals and the females give birth to live young. There are more than 35 species in five genera.
They are native to tropical and subtropical northern, central and eastern South America, living in rivers that drain into the Caribbean, and into the Atlantic as far south as the Río de la Plata in Argentina. A few generalist species are widespread, but most are more restricted and typically native to a single river basin.[1][2] The greatest species richness can be found in the Amazon, especially the Rio Negro, Tapajós, and Tocantins basins (each home to 8–10 species).[3] The range of several species is limited by waterfalls.[1]
Freshwaters inhabited by members of Potamotrygonidae vary extensively, ranging from lacustrine to fast-flowing rivers, in blackwater, whitewater and clearwater, and on bottoms ranging from sandy to rocky.[1][2] In at least some species juveniles tend to occur in shallower waters than adults.[1] Most species are strictly freshwater, but a few may range into brackish estuarine habitats in salinities up to at least 12.4‰.[1]
In 2016, two fully marine species formerly included in Himantura were found to belong in Potamotrygonidae, and moved to their own genus Styracura.[4][5] These are S. schmardae from the tropical West Atlantic, including the Caribbean, and S. pacifica from the tropical East Pacific, including the Galápagos.[4][5]
Potamotrygonidae are the only family of rays mostly restricted to fresh water habitats.[6][7] While there are true freshwater species in the family Dasyatidae, for example Himantura chaophraya, the majority of species in this family are saltwater fish.[8]
River stingrays are almost circular in shape, and range in size from Potamotrygon wallacei, which reaches 31 cm (1.0 ft) in disc width,[9] to the chupare stingray (S. schmardae), which grows up to 2 m (6.6 ft) in disc width.[10] The latter is one of only two marine species in this family (the other is S. pacifica).[4][5] The largest freshwater species in this family are the discus ray (Paratrygon aiereba) and short-tailed river stingray (Potamotrygon brachyura), which grow up to 1.5–1.6 m (4.9–5.2 ft) in disc width.[8][11] At up to 220 kg (490 lb),[8] by far the heaviest freshwater member of the family is the short-tailed river stingray, which among South American strict freshwater fish only is matched by the arapaima (Arapaima) and piraíba catfish (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum).[12] In each species in the family Potamotrygonidae, females reach a larger size than the males.[1]
The upper surface is covered with denticles (sharp tooth-like scales). Most species are brownish or greyish and often have distinctive spotted or mottled patterns, but a few species are largely blackish with contrasting pale spots.[3][13] Juveniles often differ, in some species greatly, in colour and pattern from the adults.[3]
Members of Potamotrygonidae are predators and feed on a wide range of animals such as insects, worms, molluscs, crustaceans and fish (even spiny catfish).[1] Plant material is sometimes found in their stomachs, but is likely ingested by mistake.[1] The exact diet varies with species; some are generalist predators and others are specialists. For example, Potamotrygon leopoldi mainly feeds on freshwater snails and crabs, although captives easily adapt to a generalist diet.[1][8] The largest species such as Paratrygon are top predators in their habitat.[1] The jaw joints of stingrays are "loose", allowing them to chew their food in a manner similar to mammals.[15] The family includes both species that are diurnal and species that are nocturnal.[1]
Like other Elasmobranchs, male freshwater stingrays are easily recognized by their pair of claspers, modifications of the pelvic fins used when mating. Mating occurs in a ventral-to-ventral position and the females give birth to live young.[1] While still in the mother's uterus, the developing embryo feeds on histotroph, a secretion produced by trophonemata glands.[1][16][17] Depending on exact species, the gestation period is 3 to 12 months and there are between 1 and 21 young in each litter.[1][18] The breeding cycle is generally related to flood levels.[16]
Like other stingrays, members of the family Potamotrygonidae have a venomous stinger on the tail (although it is harmless and vestigal or even absent in Heliotrygon).[8][19] There are generally one or two stingers, and they are periodically shed and replaced.[20] They are some of the most feared freshwater fishes in the Neotropical region because of the injuries they can cause.[21][22][23] In Colombia alone, more than 2,000 injuries are reported per year.[24] Freshwater stingrays are generally non-aggressive,[24] and the stingers are used strictly in self-defense.[25] As a consequence injuries typically occur when bathers step on them (injuries to feet or lower legs) or fishers catch them (injuries to hands or arms).[25] In addition to pain caused by the barbed stinger itself and the venom, bacterial infections of the wounds are common and may account for a greater part of the long-term problems in stinging victims than the actual venom.[25] The stings are typically highly painful and are occasionally fatal to humans, especially people living in rural areas that only seek professional medical help when the symptoms have become severe.[25] In general, relatively little is known about the composites of the venom in freshwater stingrays, but it appears to differ (at least in some species) from that of marine stingrays.[25] There are possibly also significant differences between the venoms of the various Potamotrygonidae species.[26] Due to the potential danger they represent, some locals strongly dislike freshwater stingrays and may kill them on sight.[18] A study at the Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil, revealed that the composition of freshwater stingray venom varies according to sex and age, even between individuals of the same species. Each time the environment changes, the feeding of the stingray changes, leading to changes in the composition of toxins and toxicological effects. There is no specific antidote or treatment for freshwater stingray venom.[27]
Accidents occur when the rays are stepped on or when the fins are touched, the defensive behavior consists of turning the body, moving the tail and introducing the stinger into the victim. Generally, stingers are inserted into the feet and heels of bathers and the hands of fishermen. Initial symptoms include severe pain, erythema and edema, then necrosis occurs which results in sagging tissue in the affected area and forms a deep ulcer, which develops slowly. Systemic complications include nausea, vomiting, salivation, sweating, respiratory depression, muscle fasciculation and seizures. Once the stinger is torn during penetration into the skin, it can break and cause dentin fragments to be retained in the wound. The stinger can cause laceration, which results in secondary infection, usually caused by Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus. If the stinger reaches internal organs, it can be fatal.[28]
Freshwater stingrays are often caught by hook-and-line and as bycatch in trawls. In the Amazon, Paratrygon and certain Potamotrygon are the most caught species and the first is the most sought.[29] In the Río de la Plata region, the meat of P. brachyura is particularly prized and locally the species is called raya fina (fine ray).[30] Freshwater rays weighing less than 2 kg (4.4 lb) are generally discarded, but have a low survival rate.[29] Their meat is mainly consumed locally, but is also exported to Japan and South Korea.[29] From 2005 to 2010, the reported capture in the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Pará has ranged between 584.5 and 1,104.5 metric tons (575.3–1,087.1 long tons) per year.[29] In contrast, some fishers believe they only can be used for traditional medicine, incorrectly thinking that the meat (not just the tail region around the stinger) is toxic.[31]
Freshwater stingrays are often kept in aquariums, but require a very large tank and will eat small tank mates.[18][26] Although generally non-aggressive, their venomous stinger represents a risk and on occasion aquarists have been stung.[32] The ease of keeping varies significantly: Some such as Potamotrygon motoro are considered relatively hardy in a captive setting,[33] while others such as Paratrygon aiereba, Plesiotrygon nana and Potamotrygon tigrina are much more difficult to maintain.[26]
Several species are commonly bred in captivity, especially at East and Southeast Asian fish farms, which produce thousands of offspring each year.[18] The more serious captive breeding efforts only began in the late 1990s when Brazil put in restrictions on their export of wild-caught individuals.[18] Some captive farms produce hybrids (both intentionally to get offspring with new patterns and unintentionally because of a lack of males), but this practice is generally discouraged.[18][26] In several US states there are regulations in place that limit the keeping of freshwater stingrays.[26]
The status of most species is relatively poorly known, but overall it is suspected that river stingrays are declining due to capture (for food and the aquarium industry) and habitat loss (mainly due to dams and pollution from mining).[29]
Zoos and public aquariums in Europe and North America have initiated programs, including studbooks, for several Potamotrygonidae species.[26][35]
Dams represent a risk to some species, but others may benefit from them. For example, the Guaíra Falls disappeared after the completion of the Itaipu Dam, allowing Potamotrygon amandae (formerly misidentified as P. motoro) and P. falkneri to spread into the upper Paraná basin.[36][37] When the Tucuruí Dam was completed, there was an increase in potential prey animals, allowing the population of P. henlei to increase.[38] In contrast, dams threaten some species such as P. magdalenae by isolating populations and preventing gene flow,[39] and others such as P. brachyura generally avoid lentic habitats, including the reservoirs created by river impoundment.[12]
In addition to the large numbers caught for food (hundred of tons per year in the Brazilian Amazon alone),[29] many are killed because of the risk their stings represent to locals and tourists. In the Amazon, it has been estimated that many thousand river stingrays are removed from certain areas to minimize the risk to ecotourism.[7] Such removal is unregulated by the authorities, as not considered fishing in the traditional sense.[7]
Initially Brazil completely banned all exports of wild-caught freshwater stingrays for the aquarium trade, but have since introduced quotas for some species. From 2010 to 2015, between c. 4,600 and 5,700 of six species (the vast majority were P. leopoldi and P. wallacei; the latter formerly referred to as P. cf. histrix) were legally exported from Brazil per year.[29] The income generated from these are important to several small fishing communities.[7][40] Other primary exporters of wild-caught freshwater stingrays are Colombia and Peru.[41] A level of illegal exports also occur,[29] and to curb this Paratrygon aiereba (in Colombia) and several Potamotrygon species (in Brazil and Colombia) have been included on CITES Appendix III.[42] It has been suggested that all members of the family should be included on Appendix III, with Paratrygon and a few Potamotrygon species on Appendix II.[41][43]
The taxonomy of the river stingrays is complex and undescribed species remain. The two species of Styracura were only moved to this family in 2016.[5] Among the freshwater species, Heliotrygon and Paratrygon are sister genera, and Plesiotrygon and Potamotrygon are sister genera.[44]
Subfamily Styracurinae
Subfamily Potamotrygoninae
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) River stingrays or freshwater stingrays are Neotropical freshwater fishes of the family Potamotrygonidae in the order Myliobatiformes, one of the four orders of batoids, cartilaginous fishes related to sharks. They are found in rivers in tropical and subtropical South America (freshwater stingrays in Africa, Asia and Australia are in another family, Dasyatidae). A single marine genus, Styracura, of the tropical West Atlantic and East Pacific are also part of Potamotrygonidae. They are generally brownish, greyish or black, often with a mottled, speckled or spotted pattern, have disc widths ranging from 31 to 200 centimetres (1.0–6.6 ft) and venomous tail stingers. River stingrays feed on a wide range of smaller animals and the females give birth to live young. There are more than 35 species in five genera.
Las rayas de río o chuchos de río (Potamotrygonidae) son una familia del orden Myliobatiformes. En su gran mayoría viven en biotopos de agua dulce neotropicales de todos los países de Sudamérica (a excepción de Chile); solo dos especies son marinas.[1]
Son nativas del norte, centro y este de América del Sur; viven en ríos que drenan hacia el mar Caribe y hacia el océano Atlántico. En general, cada especie es nativa de cuencas fluviales individuales. La mayor diversidad de especies de rayas de río se encuentra en la cuenca del Amazonas. Las dos especies marinas viven en las costas tropicales de América bañadas por ambos océanos.[1]
Poseen una forma casi circular, y varían en tamaño desde la pequeña Potamotrygon schuhmacheri, que solo alcanza los 25 cm. de diámetro, hasta la raya de río de cola corta, de la que algunos ejemplares pueden llegar a medir 2 metros de diámetro,[2] y alcanzar pesos de entre 260 y 300 kg.[3]
La superficie superior está cubierta de dentículos (escamas con puntas como dientes). La mayoría de las especies son de color marrón o grisáceo, y con frecuencia tienen patrones distintivos manchados o moteados, pero algunas especies son en su mayor parte negruzcas con contrastadas manchas blancas.
Esta familia es la única de los batoideos mayormente restringida a hábitats de agua dulce, pues, si bien hay algunas especies de agua dulce de la familia Dasyatidae (por ejemplo Himantura chaophraya) la mayoría de las especies de esa familia son peces de agua salada.
Al ser especies ovovivíparas, el macho copula a la hembra introduciendo en la cloaca uno de los dos pterigópodos y sujetándola con la boca, y a veces esas mordidas dejan marcas que muy pronto sanarán. El cortejo suele darse entre los meses de septiembre a diciembre; la hembra llevará los huevos en su vientre durante dos meses aproximadamente; los nacimientos suelen ocurrir entre noviembre y enero. En realidad poco se sabe acerca de las señales ambientales que pueden estimular el comportamiento reproductivo de las rayas, aunque las posibilidades incluyen cambios de temperatura, pH, y el fotoperíodo. Suelen nacer entre 1 y 12 pequeñas rayas de aproximadamente 10 cm. de diámetro del disco. Después de 24 horas deben comenzar a alimentarse por sí solas.
Las especies de la familia Potamotrygonidae presentan baja fecundidad, tardía madurez sexual, y crecimiento lento, lo que las hace muy vulnerables a la extinción y los precios que alcanzan son cada vez más altos. Por otro lado, Alemania, Estados Unidos y varios países asiáticos ya están reproduciendo estas hermosas especies para el comercio de animales ornamentales. En el último año también Colombia y Perú tienen proyectos de reproducción.
Tienen un aguijón caudal venenoso, el que los torna entre los peces de agua dulce más temidos en la región neotropical, a veces son más temidas que las pirañas, y la anguila eléctrica. Sin embargo, no son peligrosas a menos que sean pisadas.
La taxonomía de la familia Potamotrygonidae es compleja, aún muchas formas permanecen sin ser descriptas.[4][5][6]
Esta familia está integrada por 2 subfamilias[1] que contienen un total de 5 géneros:
Las rayas de río o chuchos de río (Potamotrygonidae) son una familia del orden Myliobatiformes. En su gran mayoría viven en biotopos de agua dulce neotropicales de todos los países de Sudamérica (a excepción de Chile); solo dos especies son marinas.
Potamotrygonidae miliobatiformeen ordenako arrain-familia da, Hego Amerikako ur gezatan bizi dena. FishBasek familiak 26 espezie dituela dio, 5 generotan banaturik[1], baina salikapen taxonomikoa zalantzazkoa da. Hona hemen onarturikoa:
Potamotrygonidae miliobatiformeen ordenako arrain-familia da, Hego Amerikako ur gezatan bizi dena. FishBasek familiak 26 espezie dituela dio, 5 generotan banaturik, baina salikapen taxonomikoa zalantzazkoa da. Hona hemen onarturikoa:
Heliotrygon generoa Carvalho & Lovejoy, 2011 Heliotrygon gomesi Carvalho & Lovejoy, 2011 Heliotrygon rosai Carvalho & Lovejoy, 2011 Paratrygon generoa A. H. A. Duméril, 1865 Paratrygon aiereba Walbaum, 1792 Plesiotrygon generoa Rosa, Castello & Thorson, 1987 Plesiotrygon iwamae Rosa, Castello & Thorson, 1987 Plesiotrygon nana Carvalho & Ragno, 2011 Potamotrygon generoa Garman, 1877 Potamotrygon amandae Loboda & M. R. de Carvalho, 2013 Potamotrygon boesemani Rosa, M. R. de Carvalho & Almeida Wanderley, 2008 Potamotrygon brachyura (Günther, 1880) Potamotrygon constellata (Vaillant, 1880) Potamotrygon falkneri Castex & Maciel, 1963 Potamotrygon henlei (Castelnau, 1855) Potamotrygon humerosa Garman, 1913 Potamotrygon hystrix (J. P. Müller & Henle, 1834) Potamotrygon leopoldi Castex & Castello, 1970 Potamotrygon limai Fontenelle, J. P. C. B. da Silva & M. R. de Carvalho, 2014 Potamotrygon magdalenae (A. H. A. Duméril, 1865) Potamotrygon marinae Deynat, 2006 Potamotrygon motoro (J. P. Müller & Henle, 1841) Potamotrygon ocellata (Engelhardt, 1912) Potamotrygon orbignyi (Castelnau, 1855) Potamotrygon pantanensis Loboda & M. R. de Carvalho, 2013 Potamotrygon schroederi Fernández-Yépez, 1958 Potamotrygon schuhmacheri Castex, 1964 Potamotrygon scobina Garman, 1913 Potamotrygon signata Garman, 1913 Potamotrygon tatianae J. P. C. B. da Silva & M. R. de Carvalho, 2011 Potamotrygon tigrina M. R. de Carvalho, Sabaj Pérez & Lovejoy, 2011 Potamotrygon yepezi Castex & Castello, 1970Potamotrygonidae est une famille de raies, dont toutes les espèces se trouvent en Amérique du Sud.
Selon World Register of Marine Species (14 octobre 2014)[1] :
Potamotrygonidae est une famille de raies, dont toutes les espèces se trouvent en Amérique du Sud.
La famiglia Potamotrygonidae Garman, 1877 comprende 25 specie di pesci cartilaginei d'acqua dolce, conosciuti comunemente come razze d'acqua dolce, appartenenti all'ordine Myliobatiformes.
Queste specie sono originarie del Sud America, dove vivono in fiumi che si riversano nel bacino caraibico e nell'Oceano Atlantico fino all'altezza del Rìo de la Plata (Argentina). In genere ogni specie è originaria di un unico bacino fluviale.
Presentano un corpo a forma quasi circolare e variano nelle dimensioni dallo Potamotrygon schuhmacheri, che raggiunge i 25 cm di diametro, alla razza d'acqua dolce ocellata, il Potamotrygon motoro, che cresce fino a raggiungere un metro di diametro. La superficie dorsale è coperta da dentici (lische a forma di dente aguzzo).
Sono dotati di un pungiglione caudale velenoso e sono tra i pesci più temuti nelle acque fluviali e lacustri delle regioni neotropicali, a volte più dei piranha e dei pesci elettrofori. Tuttavia non sono pericolosi a meno che non si ostacoli la loro presenza o vengano minacciati in altra maniera.
Vi sono 25 specie divise in quattro generi:
La famiglia Potamotrygonidae Garman, 1877 comprende 25 specie di pesci cartilaginei d'acqua dolce, conosciuti comunemente come razze d'acqua dolce, appartenenti all'ordine Myliobatiformes.
Upinės dygliauodegės rajos (lot. Potamotrygonidae, angl. River stingrays, vok. Süßwasserstechrochen) – rombinių rajožuvių (Rajiformes) šeima. Kūnas apskritas, 25 cm skersmens. Paplitusios Pietų Amerikos rytinėje dalyje. Gyvena upėse, kurios įteka į Karibų jūrą ir į Atlanto vandenyną.
Šeimoje yra 4 gentys, 20 rūšių.
Upinės dygliauodegės rajos (lot. Potamotrygonidae, angl. River stingrays, vok. Süßwasserstechrochen) – rombinių rajožuvių (Rajiformes) šeima. Kūnas apskritas, 25 cm skersmens. Paplitusios Pietų Amerikos rytinėje dalyje. Gyvena upėse, kurios įteka į Karibų jūrą ir į Atlanto vandenyną.
Šeimoje yra 4 gentys, 20 rūšių.
A família Potamotrygonidae corresponde ao grupo de raias pertencentes exclusivamente aos ambientes dulcícolas. Estas estão divididas em quatro gêneros: Paratrygon, Pleisiotrygon, Potamotrygon e Heliotrygon.
Os potamotrigonídeos, de forma geral, apresentam o corpo deprimido dorso-ventralmente, a boca está localizada na região ventral e os olhos, juntamente com os espiráculos, na região dorsal. Apresentam ventralmente 5 pares de fendas branquiais. Possuem cauda onde se localizam os ferrões (região medial). As nadadeiras peitorais são bem desenvolvidas e estão fundidas com o corpo dando um aspecto discoidal. A distinção sexual nos potamotrigonideos pode ser feita através da presença (machos) ou não (fêmeas) dos clásperes, localizados próximos das nadadeiras pélvicas.
Os peixes pertencentes a família Potamotrygonidae são bentônicos e ovovivíparos.
민물가오리는 매가오리목 민물가오리과(Potamotrygonidae)에 속하는 가오리의 총칭이다. 이 과에 속하는 모든 가오리는 오로지 강에만 살고 있다. 아마존강의 고유 과다. 민물에서 사는 가오리는 메콩강이나 호주 북부의 메콩대형가오리(Himantura속)이나 메콩강,아프리카 등지에 서식하는 민물가오리(Dasyatis속) 종류들 등 다른 과에도 몇 종이 존재하지만, 이 두 속에 속하는 대부분의 종은 바닷물고기이다.
이들은 관상용으로 인기가 많으며 아시아아로와나같은 대형어의 메이트로 주로 합사하기 위해 비싼 값에 거래된다. 새끼를 낳는 난태생이며,갓 태어난 새끼도 독가시를 갖고 있다.