Highlight of one of NECWA'a Fall/Winter Interns, Jack Gerrior.
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Western Atlantic Torpedo Ray necropsy In Provincetown near Shore Rd. |
NECWA News Blog - The New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance (NECWA) is an all volunteer non-profit organization based in southeastern MA. Our focus is to better understand and protect coastal marine wildlife, including whales, seabird, seals, basking sharks and ocean sunfish. Contact us at contact@necwa.org.
Highlight of one of NECWA'a Fall/Winter Interns, Jack Gerrior.
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Western Atlantic Torpedo Ray necropsy In Provincetown near Shore Rd. |
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Dead Torpedo Ray in Brewster, MA |
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Dead Torpedo Ray on a Cape Cod Beach. |
The identification of Torpedo Rays are crucial to ensuring the consistent reporting of stranded Torpedo Rays along the Cape Cod region. Torpedo Rays are most easily identified by their large caudal fin as well as their well rounded pectoral fins. Compared to other rays, the tail on the Torpedo Ray follows a more typical caudal fin structure rather than a whip-like structure seen in many other rays. In addition to this, their eyes are set much further forward than other rays. Their coloration is most commonly brown on their dorsal surface with white on their bottom surface. As stated previously, a shock organ is present within each pectoral fin which can discharge dangerous amounts of electricity. Because of this, attempting to save a live stranded torpedo ray proves to be much more difficult compared to other marine life. Some suggest that it is safe to gently grab the live animal by the tail and pull it back into deeper water. Dead Torpedo Rays are perfectly safe to touch for the carcass will not shock you. If you find a stranded Torpedo Ray, please report your sighting to NECWA by completing our online Torpedo Ray JotForm.
For example, in 2019,F. NeptalĂ Morales-Serna and others analyzed the discovery of a new species of copepod Echthrogaleus spinulus found on a Torpedo Ray. In order to further understand the significance of Torpedo Rays, our conservation and research efforts must be prioritized further.
Our lack of knowledge on the biology and ecology of the Torpedo Rays and their cause of stranding increases the importance of collecting new stranding data. In order to ensure that Torpedo Rays and any other marine life are protected, it is crucial that any sightings are properly and quickly reported. NECWA proudly strives for the further research of Torpedo Rays and how we can assist with stranding relief efforts.
For more information on Torpedo Rays, refer to the studies and links below:
Turtle Journal - Shocking Discovery in Cape Cod’s Loagy Bay: Electric Torpedo Ray
Florida Museum Discover Fishes - Torpedo nobiliana
Biology and Ecology of rays in the Chesapeake Bay, Joseph W. Smith
Morales-Serna, F.N., Crow, G.L., Montes, M.M. et al. Description of Echthrogaleus spinulus n. sp. (Copepoda: Pandaridae) parasitic on a torpedo ray from the central Pacific Ocean utilising a morphological and molecular approach. Syst Parasitol 96, 777–788 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11230-019-09885-5
A. Fraser-Brunner (1949) LXXIII.—Note on the electric rays of the genus Torpedo, Annals and Magazine of Natural History, 2:24, 943-947, DOI: 10.1080/00222934908654036
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Dead Common Thresher Shark found in Wellfleet, MA |
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2- Rates of deforestation will increase as businesses move into protected areas. |
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3- Polar bears are the verge of becoming extinct if these policy changes are implemented. |
The Terrapin Traverser right side up and freshly scrubbed. |
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Brendan (red shirt) and Jacob (green shirt) sanding the bottom of the boat. |
The painted bottom of the boat. |
Brendan with the Terrapin Traverser at AJ's Boat Co. |