Potamotrygon Orbignyi) Ecological Risk Screening Summary

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Anglespot River Stingray (Potamotrygon orbignyi) Ecological Risk Screening Summary

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, August 2015 Revised, January 2018 Web Version, 3/10/2021

Organism Type: Fish Overall Risk Assessment Category: Uncertain

Photo: Claire Powers. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic. Available: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Potamotrygon_national_zoo2.jpg. (January 2, 2018).

1 Native Range and Status in the United States Native Range From Góes de Araújo et al. (2009):

“Potamotrygon orbignyi is a widely distributed freshwater stingray found throughout numerous river systems of the Amazon Basin.”

“Nursery areas have been observed for this species along the shores of some islands located in the Marajó Bay region (State of Pará, Brazil). […] Nursery areas have also been observed in sandy beaches of the Negro River tributary [Colombia and Brazil] (M.L. Araújo pers. obs.).”

From Froese and Pualy (2018):

“South America: Widespread in Amazon and Orinoco River basins and in river systems in Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana.”

Froese and Pauly (2018) report that Potamotrygon orbignyi is present and native in Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.

Araújo et al. (2004) lists that Potamotrygon orbignyi is found in the Amazon, Orinoco, Parana and Paraguay Basins within the countries of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Columbia, French Guyana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Status in the United States No records of Potamotrygon orbignyi in the wild in the United States were found. P. orbignyi is in trade within the United States (e.g. Aqua Imports 2021).

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has listed the freshwater stingray Potamotrygon orbignyi as a conditional species. Conditional nonnative species (FFWCC 2020), “are considered to be dangerous to the ecology and/or the health and welfare of the people of Florida. These species are not allowed to be personally possessed, although exceptions are made by permit from the Executive Director for research, commercial use (with security measures to prevent escape or release) or public exhibition purposes.”

From Arizona Office of the Secretary of State (2013):

“I. Fish listed below are considered restricted live wildlife: […] 32. All species of the family Potamotrygonidae. Common name: stingray.”

From California Department of Fish and Wildlife (2019):

“It shall be unlawful to import, transport, or possess live animals restricted in subsection (c) below except under permit issued by the department. […] Restricted species include: […] Family Potamotrygonidae-River stingrays: All species (D).”

From Georgia DNR (2020):

“The exotic species listed below, except where otherwise noted, may not be held as pets in Georgia. This list is not all inclusive. […] Fresh-water stingray; all species”

From Mississippi Secretary of State (2019):

“All species of the following animals and plants have been determined to be detrimental to the State's native resources and further sales or distribution are prohibited in Mississippi. No person shall import, sell, possess, transport, release or cause to be released into the waters of the state any of the following aquatic species or hybrids thereof. However, species listed as prohibited may be allowed under a permitting process where environmental impact has been assessed. […] Freshwater stingrays Family Potamotrygonidae **** [indicating all species within the family are included in the regulation]”

From State of Nevada (2018):

“Except as otherwise provided in this section and NAC 504.486, the importation, transportation or possession of the following species of live wildlife or hybrids thereof, including viable embryos or gametes, is prohibited: […] Freshwater stingray...... All species in the family Potamotrygonidae”

From Oklahoma Secretary of State (2019):

“Until such time as is necessary for the Department of Wildlife Conservation to obtain adequate information for the determination of other harmful or potentially harmful exotic species, the importation into the State and/or the possession of the following exotic fish or their eggs is prohibited: […] Freshwater Stingray group: Paratrygon spp., Potomotrygon spp., and Disceus spp.”

From Texas Parks and Wildlife (2020):

“The organisms listed here are legally classified as exotic, harmful, or potentially harmful. No person may possess or place them into water of this state except as authorized by the department. Permits are required for any individual to possess, sell, import, export, transport or propagate listed species for zoological or research purposes; for aquaculture (allowed only for Blue, Nile, or Mozambique tilapia, Triploid Grass Carp, or Pacific White Shrimp); or for aquatic weed control (for example, Triploid Grass Carp in private ponds). […] Freshwater Stingrays, Family Potamotrygonidae All species”

Means of Introductions in the United States No records of Potamotrygon orbignyi in the United States were found.

Remarks From Góes de Araújo et al. (2009):

“This species shows a wide range of colour [sic] variation. Misidentifications occur with other potamotrygonid species such as P. constellata, P. castexi and possibly with P. motoro (Rincón pers. comm.) and P. humerosa.”

“The ornamental trade is regulated by export quota in Brazil.”

2 Biology and Ecology Taxonomic Hierarchy and Taxonomic Standing From Eschmeyer et al. (2018):

“Current status: Valid as Potamotrygon orbignyi (Castelnau 1855).”

From ITIS (2018):

Kingdom Animalia Subkingdom Bilateria Infrakingdom Deuterostomia Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata Infraphylum Gnathostomata Superclass Chondrichthyes Class Chondrichthyes Subclass Elasmobranchii Superorder Euselachii Order Myliobatiformes Family Potamotrygonidae Genus Potamotrygon Species Potamotrygon orbignyi (Castelnau, 1855)

Size, Weight, and Age Range From Froese and Pauly (2018):

“Max length : 35.0cm WD male/unsexed; Max length: 32.5cm WD (female); Max published weight: 1.4-2.0 kg [Lasso et al. 1997]”

From Góes de Araújo et al. (2009):

“Different biological data have been observed in distinct river basins/regions, according to the following authors:

Venezuelan llanos (Lasso et al. [1997]) Size at maturity: 23 cm DW (male), 29.5 cm DW (female) Maximum size: 31 cm DW”

“Brazilian Amazon Basin (Charvet-Almeida, Araújo and Almeida 2005) Size at maturity: 39 cm DW (male), 44 cm DW (female)”

“Tocantins Basin [Brazil] (Rincón unpublished data) Size at maturity: 23 cm DW (male), 26-28 cm DW (female) Maximum size: 42.8 cm DW

Size at birth: ~25-26 cm TL. The smallest neonate captured was 26.5 cm TL (13 cm DW). ”

Environment From Froese and Pauly (2018):

“Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.8-7.5 [Baensch and Riehl 1995]. […]; 24°C - 26°C [assumed to be recommended aquarium water temperature] [Baensch and Riehl 1995]”

From Góes de Araújo et al. (2009):

“It is found in [water] temperatures ranging from 28 to 35°C (Lasso et al. [1997], Araújo, Charvet-Almeida and Almeida unpublished data).”

Climate From Froese and Pauly (2018):

“Tropical; […]”

Distribution Outside the United States Native From Góes de Araújo et al. (2009):

“Potamotrygon orbignyi is a widely distributed freshwater stingray found throughout numerous river systems of the Amazon Basin.”

From Froese and Pualy (2018):

“South America: Widespread in Amazon and Orinoco River basins and in river systems in Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana.”

Froese and Pauly (2018) report that Potamotrygon orbignyi is present and native in Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.

Introduced No records of Potamotrygon orbignyi introductions were found.

Means of Introduction Outside the United States No records of Potamotrygon orbignyi introductions were found.

Short Description A short description of Potamotrygon orbignyi was not found.

Biology From Froese and Pauly (2018):

“Occurs in stream swamps, floodplain lakes, and artificial lagoons. Feeds mainly on insects and benthic crustaceans [Baensch and Riehl 1995].”

From Araújo et al. (2004):

“[…] low fecundity, late maturation and slow growth […] diverse habitats in freshwater environments, including beach sands, flooded forest, small creeks with mud or stone bottoms and lakes. In all habitats in which they are found freshwater stingrays are predators on top of the food web. The adult forms of different species eat mainly fishes, worms and small crustaceans (Charvet-Almeida 2001, Lasso et al. [1997]), and the juveniles eat small crustacean and aquatic insects.”

From Góes de Araújo et al. (2009):

“The distribution of this species in the Amazon estuary region is influenced by seasonal salinity variations (Almeida 2003, Charvet-Almeida unpublished data). […] Adult specimens exhibit diel movements: during the day they occupy deeper water areas and during the night they are present in shallow areas (M.L. Araújo pers. obs.).”

“Brazilian Amazon Basin (Charvet-Almeida, Araújo and Almeida 2005) […] Gestation time: estimated at six months Reproductive periodicity: annual, birthing during the rainy season Litter size: 1-5 (average of 2).

Tocantins Basin (Rincón unpublished data) […] Reproductive periodicity: May breed year-round, but gestation period unknown. Litter size: 1”

Shibuya et al. (2009):

“Potamotrygon orbignyi fed mainly on insects (96.4%), with a low participation of teleosteans (2.7%) and crustaceans (0.9%).”

“Potamotrygon orbignyi had insectivorous feeding habits, mainly consuming dragonfly larvae. Similar results were reported by Lasso et al. ([1997]) and Rincon-Filho (2006) for individuals from the Apure and Tocantins river basins respectively, and both studies encountered mainly

Ephemeroptera (the Analysis of stomach contents of freshwater stingrays in Amazonas Pan- American Journal of Aquatic Sciences (2009), 4(4): 466-475 471 second most important group of insects for P. orbignyi from Negro River basin). The predominance of insects in the diet of P. orbignyi is possibly related to its small mouth, which makes capturing large prey such as crabs and teleosteans more difficult. Additionally, this stingray species lives near sandy beaches where insect larvae are abundant.”

From Haddad et al. (2004):

“The Neotropical freshwater stingrays of the family Potamotrygonidae are the only elasmobranchs totally restricted to ﬂuvial systems in South America (Thorson et al. 1978). These stingrays belong to a larger group of predominantly marine elasmobranchs (Nishida 1990). To date, there are about 20 species of potamotrygonids, which are commonly found resting on sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow waters of the major river basins of South America.”

Human Uses From Araújo et al. (2004):

“Data on fishing practices and conservation efforts of Potamotrygonidae for ornamental trade have only recently begun to be collected.”

From Froese and Pauly (2018):

“Potential for use of venom in medical research [Monteiro-dos-Santos et al. 2011]”

From Góes de Araújo et al. (2009):

“This species is taken as food and juveniles enter the ornamental fish trade. In some areas, its habitat is threatened by illegal mining activities. The post-capture mortality in the ornamental fishery towards this species is estimated at 10% (Araújo unpublished data). There is also uncontrolled fishing pressure (both through persecution and sports fishing) on this species developed by the tourism industry around Negro River during the dry season. Although widely distributed, this species requires attention due to its apparent low fecundity.

Capture for the ornamental trade has been steady but in small quantities in the last five years (Araújo, personal observation). It has a low value in the ornamental market and so is not highly sought after.”

P. orbignyi is in trade within the United States (e.g. Aqua Imports 2021).

Diseases There were no records found of OIE-reportable diseases (OIE 2021) for this species.

Poelen et al. (2014) list Rhinebothrium fulbrighti, Anindobothrium lisae, Potamotrygonocestus orinocoensis, Eutetrarhynchus araya, and Paroncomegas araya as parasites of Potamotrygon orbignyi.

From Lasso et al. (2015):

“During an ichthyological survey in the Orinoco River between 2013 and 2014, we found two individuals of the parasitic catfish Vandellia beccarii in the branchial chamber of two mature females of Potamotrygon orbignyi […]. This is the first record of parasitism of vandelliine catfishes in freshwater stingrays.”

Bailly (2016) lists Anindobothrium lisae, Echinocephalus daileyi, Paroncomegas araya, Potamotrygonocestus amazonensis, Potamotrygonocestus maurae, Potamotrygonocestus orinocoensis, Potamotrygonocestus travassosi, Rhinebothrium freitasi, Rhinebothrium fulbrighti, Rhinebothrium jaimei, Rhinebothroides freitasi, Rhinebothroides glandularis, Rhinebothroides scorzai, and Rhinebothroides venezeulensis as parasites of Potamotrygon orbingyi.

Threat to Humans From Haddad et al. (2004):

“In the Tocantins State, Northern Brazil, the 25 injuries caused by freshwater stingrays concentrate near to areas formed by the Tocantins and Araguaia rivers and their respective tributaries. Nineteen were from Araguaia River and six from Tocantins River. The accidents happened predominantly during the afternoons (between 13 and 18 h) of July and August. The prevalence of accidents during this time of the day is probably related to activities such as fishing, washing clothes, recreation, or hygiene (baths, cleaning of domestic utensils). The injuries occurred in any age group for both sexes (there was a peak between 20 and 30 years old), with prevalence in men (80%). A striking observation was that many of the accidents occurred to non-local people, but mainly to tourists, who during this time of the year come to these areas to enjoy the beaches formed by sand banks exposed along the river due to low water levels, ignoring the fact that stingrays also prefer these areas. Most of the accidents were caused by Potamotrygon orbignyi […]. The species of P. orbignyi was identified by an author (Fernando Portella de Luna Marques) and about ten specimens were collected in the area of study.

The main symptom associated to the injuries was the immediate pain of great intensity after the sting, and reported by those who experienced it as a burning pain (‘deep pain’). The pain lasted, in general, for approximately 2 h at least. Patients reported local paresthesia, edema, erythema and hemorrhagic and necrotic areas. In some cases, we observed the development of abscess, cellulitis and tissue loss. Thus, the injury usually resulted in a considerable scar after cicatrization.”

3 Impacts of Introductions No records of Potamotrygon orbignyi introductions were found.

P. orbignyi is regulated in multiple States, see section 1.

4 History of Invasiveness No records of introduction were found for Potamotrygon orbignyi. History of invasiveness of Potamotrygon orbignyi is classified as No Known Nonnative Population.

5 Global Distribution

Figure 1. Known global distribution of Potamotrygon orbignyi. Observations are reported from Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Map from GBIF Secretariat (2018).

Observations were not available representing the native range in Argentina, French Guiana, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

6 Distribution Within the United States No records of Potamotrygon orbignyi in the United States were found.

7 Climate Matching Summary of Climate Matching Analysis The climate match for Potamotrygon orbignyi was low across most of the contiguous United States, with a small pocket of high match in southern Florida. Small areas along the Gulf Coast and around the Puget Sound had medium matches. The Climate 6 score (Sanders et al. 2014; 16 climate variables; Euclidean distance) for the contiguous United States was 0.003, low (scores between 0.000 and 0.005, inclusive, are classified as low). Florida had a high individual Climate 6 score, while all other States had a low climate score. Georeferenced locations were not available for the southernmost portion of the range of this species.

Figure 2. RAMP (Sanders et al. 2014) source map showing weather stations selected as source locations (red; Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela) and non-source locations (gray) for Potamotrygon orbignyi climate matching. Source locations from GBIF Secretariat (2018). Selected source locations are within 100 km of one or more species occurrences, and do not necessarily represent the locations of occurrences themselves.

Figure 3. Map of RAMP (Sanders et al. 2014) climate matches for Potamotrygon orbignyi in the contiguous United States based on source locations reported by GBIF Secretariat (2018). Counts of climate match scores are tabulated on the left. 0/Blue = Lowest match, 10/Red = Highest match.

The High, Medium, and Low Climate match Categories are based on the following table:

Climate 6: Overall (Count of target points with climate scores 6-10)/ Climate Match (Count of all target points) Category 0.000≤X≤0.005 Low 0.005

8 Certainty of Assessment The certainty of assessment is low. There was good biological and ecological information available for Potamotrygon orbignyi. No georeferenced locations were available in the southernmost portion of its range. No records of introductions in the wild were found, therefore the impact of introductions remains unknown.

9 Risk Assessment Summary of Risk to the Contiguous United States Anglespot River Stingray (Potamotrygon orbignyi) is native to most of the major river basins in northern and central South America. P. orbignyi is used as a food source and targeted by recreational fishing. It is also present in the ornamental trade. Potamotrygon orbignyi is in the ornamental trade in the United States and is regulated by multiple States. The history of invasiveness for Potamotrygon orbignyi is classified as No Known Nonnative Population. There were no records of introductions found. The climate match with the contiguous United States is low. However, no georeferenced locations were available for the southernmost portion of P. orbignyi’s range. The only area of high match was found in southern Florida. The certainty of this assessment is low due to lack of information. The overall risk assessment category is Uncertain.

Assessment Elements • History of Invasiveness (Sec. 4): No Known Nonnative Population • Overall Climate Match Category (Sec. 7): Low • Certainty of Assessment (Sec. 8): Low • Remarks/Important additional information: No additional remarks • Overall Risk Assessment Category: Uncertain

10 Literature Cited Note: The following references were accessed for this ERSS. References cited within quoted text but not accessed are included below in Section 11.

Aqua Imports. 2021. False hystrix/Orbignyi ray (Potamotrygon orbignyi). Boulder, Colorado: Aqua Imports. Available: https://www.aqua-imports.com/product/false-hystrix-orbignyi- ray-potamotrygon-orbignyi/ (March 2021).

Araújo MLG, Charvet-Almeida P, Almeida MP, Pereira H. 2004. Freshwater stingrays (Potamotrygonidae): status, conservation and management challenges. Information document AC20:1–6.

Arizona Office of the Secretary of State. 2013. Live wildlife. Arizona Administrative Code, Game and Fish Commission, Title 12, Chapter 4, Article 4.

Bailly N. 2016. Potamotrygon orbignyi (Castelnau, 1855). In World Register of Marine Species. Available: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=882205 (January 2018).

California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2019. Restricted species laws and regulations manual. Available: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Regulations (November 2020).

Eschmeyer WN, Fricke R, van der Laan R, editors. 2018. Catalog of fishes: genera, species, references. California Academy of Science. Available: http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp (January 2018).

Froese R, Pauly D, editors. 2018. Potamotrygon orbignyi (Castelnau, 1855). FishBase. Available: http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Potamotrygon-orbignyi.html (January 2018).

[FFWCC] Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 2020. Conditional nonnative species list. Tallahassee: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Available: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/conditional-species-list/ (October 2020)

GBIF Secretariat. 2018. GBIF backbone taxonomy: Potamotrygon orbignyi (Castelnau, 1855). Copenhagen: Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Available: https://www.gbif.org/species/2419356 (January 2018).

Georgia [DNR] Department of Natural Resources. 2020. Wild animals/exotics. Social Circle: Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division. Available: http://gadnrle.org/exotics (November 2020).

Góes de Araújo ML, Pinto de Almeida M, Rincón G, Charvet-Almeida P, Rosa RS. 2009. Potamotrygon orbignyi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T182877A7992182. Available: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/161609/0 (January 2018).

Haddad Jr V, Neto DG, de Paula Neto JB, de Luna Marques FP, Barbaro KC. 2004. Freshwater stingrays: study of epidemiologic, clinic and therapeutic aspects based on 84 envenomings in humans and some enzymatic activities of the venom. Toxicon 43:287– 294.

[ITIS] Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 2018. Potamotrygon orbignyi (Castelnau, 1855). Reston, Virginia: Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Available: https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=943 771 (January 2018).

Lasso CA, DoNascimiento C, Morales-Betancourt MA, Lasso-Alcala OM. 2015. Parasitism of freshwater stingrays (Potamotrygonidae) by hematophagous catfishes (Vandelliinae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 26:83–86.

Mississippi Secretary of State. 2019. Guidelines for aquaculture activities. Mississippi Administrative Code, Title 2, Part 1, Subpart 4, Chapter 11. Jackson: Regulatory and Enforcement Division, Office of the Mississippi Secretary of State.

[OIE] World Organisation for Animal Health. 2021. OIE-listed diseases, infections and infestations in force in 2021. Available: http://www.oie.int/animal-health-in-the- world/oie-listed-diseases-2021/ (March 2021).

Oklahoma Secretary of State. 2019. List of restricted exotic species. Oklahoma Administrative Code, Title 800, Chapter 20-1-2.

Poelen JH, Simons JD, Mungall CJ. 2014. Global Biotic Interactions: an open infrastructure to share and analyze species-interaction datasets. Ecological Informatics 24:148–159.

Sanders S, Castiglione C, Hoff M. 2014. Risk Assessment Mapping Program: RAMP. Version 2.81. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Shibuya A, Araújo MLG, Zuanon JAS. 2009. Analysis of stomach contents of freshwater stingrays (Elasmobranchii, Potamotrygonidae) from the middle Negro River, Amazonas, Brazil. Pan-American Journal of Aquatic Sciences 4:466–475.

State of Nevada. 2018. Restrictions on importation, transportation and possession of certain species. Nevada Administrative Code, Chapter 503, Section 110.

Texas Parks and Wildlife. 2020. Invasive, prohibited and exotic species. Austin: Texas Parks and Wildlife. Available: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/exotic/prohibited_aquatic.phtml (November 2020).

11 Literature Cited in Quoted Material Note: The following references are cited within quoted text within this ERSS, but were not accessed for its preparation. They are included here to provide the reader with more information.

Almeida MP. 2003. Policromatismo e Aspectos Sistemáticos de Potamotrygon scobina, Garman 1913 (Chondrichthyes: Potamotrygonidae) da Região da Ilha de Colares da IIha de Marajó - Pará. Masters thesis. Belém, Brazil: Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi & Universidade Federal do Pará.

Baensch HA, Riehl R. 1995. Aquarien atlas, band 4. Melle, Germany: Mergus Verlag GmbH, Verlag für Natur-und Heimtierkunde.

Castelnau FL. 1855. Poissons. In: Animaux nouveaux or rares recueillis pendant l'expédition dans les parties centrales de l'Amérique du Sud, de Rio de Janeiro a Lima, et de Lima au Para; exécutée par ordre du gouvernement Français pendant les années 1843 a 1847; Part 7, Zoologie. Paris (P. Bertrand) 2:1–50.

Charvet-Almeida P, de Araújo MLG, de Almeida MP. 2005. Reproductive aspects of freshwater stingrays (Chondrichthyes: Patamotrygonidae) in the Brazilian Amazon Basin. Journal of Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Science 35:165–171. 14

Lasso CA, Rial AB, Lasso-Alcala O. 1997. Notes on the biology of the freshwater stingrays Paratrygon aiereba (Müller & Henle, 1841) and Potamotrygon orbignyi (Castelnau, 1855) (Chondrichthyes: Potamotrygonidae) in the Venezuelan llanos. Aquatic Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology 2:39–52.

Monteiro-dos-Santos J, Conceição K, Seibert CS, Marques EE. 2011. Studies on pharmacological properties of mucus and sting venom of Potamotrygon cf. henlei International Immunopharmacology 11:1368–1377.

Nishida K. 1990. Phylogeny of the superorder Myliobatoidei. Memoir of the Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University 37:1–108.

Rincon-Filho G. 2006. Aspectos taxonômicos, alimentação e reprodução da raia de água doce Potamotrygon orbignyi (Castelnau) (Elasmobranchii: Potamotrygonidae) no Rio Paraná- Tocantins. Doctoral dissertation. Rio Claro, Brazil: Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio Mesquita Filho”.

Thorson TB, Wooton RM, Georgi TD. 1978. Rectal gland of freshwater stingrays, Potamotrygon spp. (Chondrichthyes: Potamotrygonidae). Biological Bulletin 154:508–516.