Dasyatis centroura

9.9

A large stingray found off the US Atlantic coast from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras

noun

Specialized

: Dasyatis centroura

The Dasyatis centroura is commonly found in shallow coastal waters.

Examples

The Dasyatis centroura can grow to impressive sizes, making it one of the most notable rays along the Atlantic coast.
Marine biologists are studying the migration patterns of Dasyatis centroura to better understand its habitat needs.
Fishermen occasionally encounter Dasyatis centroura while working off the shores of the Carolinas.
Did you know that the Dasyatis centroura can grow up to six feet wide?
Fishermen occasionally encounter Dasyatis centroura while working off the shores of the Carolinas.
Marine biologists are studying the migration patterns of Dasyatis centroura to better understand its habitat needs.
The Dasyatis centroura can grow to impressive sizes, making it one of the most notable rays along the Atlantic coast.

Synonyms

roughtail stingray

vsDasyatis centroura

Specialized

9.7

A large flat sea animal with a rough tail that lives from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras

is the scientific Latin name used alone without the common name

Surface Forms

Dasyatis centroura singular

Dasyatis centrouras plural

Morphology

Dasyatis + centroura

Knowing 'Dasyatis' as a genus of stingrays allows a learner to infer this is a type of stingray, so part of the meaning (that it is a ray) is recoverable. However, the species epithet 'centroura' is not a recognizable English word and provides no transparent semantic cue for a B1 learner, so the full, specific sense (a large western Atlantic species) cannot be derived.

Etymology

Dasyatis centroura may come from old Greek words: Dasyatis meaning 'rough' or 'hairy' and centroura from words for 'sting' and 'tail'. So the name gives a clear picture of a large stingray with rough skin and a sharp tail, which fits the ray found in the Atlantic.