Variegated Electric Ray
VU

Variegated Electric Ray

Diplobatis pictus

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_electric_ray

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Variegated Electric Ray faces significant pressure from commercial and artisanal fisheries throughout its range in the Eastern Pacific, where it is frequently caught as bycatch in bottom trawls and gillnets targeting other species. Its shallow coastal habitat overlaps extensively with areas of high fishing intensity, particularly off Mexico and Central America. The species' slow reproductive rate and limited dispersal ability make populations vulnerable to localized depletion from sustained fishing pressure.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Variegated Electric Ray inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms in shallow coastal waters, typically found at depths ranging from the intertidal zone to approximately 100 meters. It prefers soft substrates where it can bury itself for camouflage and ambush prey along the continental shelf of the Eastern Pacific.

MARINE· major

Threatened in Brazil

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Columbina cyanopisCR

Columbina cyanopis

Declining
Artichoke CoralCR

Artichoke Coral

Scolymia cubensis

Declining
VU

Mussismilia hispida

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Variegated Electric Ray classified as Vulnerable?
Variegated Electric Ray is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Variegated Electric Ray faces significant pressure from commercial and artisanal fisheries throughout its range in the Eastern Pacific, where it is frequently caught as bycatch in bottom trawls and gillnets targeting other species. Its shallow coastal habitat overlaps extensively with areas of high fishing intensity, particularly off Mexico and Central America. The species' slow reproductive rate and limited dispersal ability make populations vulnerable to localized depletion from sustained fishing pressure.
Where does Variegated Electric Ray live?
Variegated Electric Ray occurs in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago (plus 2 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Variegated Electric Ray?
The main threats to Variegated Electric Ray are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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