Studies in ichthyology. No. 4
Abstract
[Excerpt from p. 98]. When illustrations of Red Sea, Singapore, Australian, and Pacific specimens of Taeniura lymnia are compared, slight differences of shape, coloration and size of eyes are noticeable. Perhaps comparison of a series of specimens from diverse localities would show variations of subspecific or even specific value because actual specimens generally differ more than their illustrations; but I am unable to make aut optical comparisons in this case and accordingly use T. lymnia as the earliest binomial name for this stingray. The teeth of a topotypical example figured in Riippell's "Neue Wirbelthiere" are notably sharper than in my specimens so that, should further differences be discovered, the Australian form may be called Taeniura halgani (Lesson). An excellent illustration of a specimen nine inches in width, from Murray Island, Queensland, was given by McCulloch, whilst a newborn example collected by Mr. M. Ward in the Whitsunday Passage, Queensland, is figured here.