Saw this on the Boonsung wreck near Kao Lak in the Andaman Sea a few years ago. I've never been able to pinpoint what it is. For a long time I thought it was a skate (e.g. Raja sp.), but now I think it looks more like some of the freshwater Himantura sp. found in Thailand. But obviously this is salt water. Would appreciate any insight!
[youtubehd]UtccqUfeqTQ[/youtubehd]
So, new species then!
Anyone know a ray/elasmobranch specialist?
I've been digging further and it appears to fit Himantura imbricata ("scaly whipray" , formerly Himantura imbricatus) very well. Apparently they like estuarine habitats, and migrate between saltwater and freshwater, which fits well because the Boonsung wreck is not too far from a couple of estuaries.
Apologies for the one-man thread.
I've now been told by an elasmobranch expert that this is Himantura walga.