Scientists have discovered a new species of sting ray.

The spotted eagle ray was thought to be one species of fish found all over the world in tropical shallow waters including the Indian Ocean, the Pacific west coast and Gulf of Mexico.

The ray has a venomous tail but is not aggressive and feeds on molluscs. It is named after the numerous white ringed spots on its body and a distinctive head that resembles a bill. It can weigh up to 500 pounds and measure 10ft across the wingspan.

However using new DNA techniques scientists have discovered that in fact the sting ray is made up of a number of at least two and possibly more species and sub species. This means the ray is under more threat from over fishing as each newly discovered species or subspecies has a smaller distribution and population size compared to a single, globally distributed species, making them more vulnerable to pressures from fisheries. Ultimately fishing out one small population could mean the extinction of that species.

This discovery was made by a team of marine scientists from the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Center and National Coral Reef Institute at Nova Southeastern University in Florida, USA. In the past the spotted eagle ray was categorised on its physical appearance. But using new DNA techniques, it was found the ray is actually made up of at least two and possibly more subspecies. The different species look similar but have a different genetic make up which has evolved as the ray spread to different parts of the world.

Work will now begin to officially identify and name the new species.

The findings published in the Journal of Heredity has significant conservation implications for the survival of all the new species.

At the moment the spotted eagle ray is already listed as a vulnerable and near threatened species because of its low reproductive rates.

However Mahmood Shivji from the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Center said the different species will be even more vulnerable.

“These listings are based on the designation of the ray as a single global species; in light of what we have discovered each of the more regionally distributed species may be far more threatened than previously thought. Clarifying uncertainties surrounding the number of species, and their exact distributions and population size is imperative for guiding conservation and management efforts,” Mahmood Shivji said to the London Telegraph.

Thank You.