About Glaucostegus typus
Glaucostegus typus, commonly known as the common shovelnose ray, giant shovelnose ray, or giant guitarfish, is a fish species belonging to the Rhinobatidae family. This species is native to the central Indo-Pacific, with its distribution ranging from India to the East China Sea, Solomon Islands, and northern Australia. It occurs in shallow coastal areas down to depths of at least 100 m (330 ft), and can be found in mangroves, estuaries, and has also been reported to occur in freshwater. It can reach a maximum length of 2.7 m (8.9 ft), and has a greyish-brown to yellowish-brown upper body with a paler snout. Researchers have tested this species for colour vision using choice experiments that control for brightness. This testing provided the first rigorous behavioural evidence of colour vision in any elasmobranch. Glaucostegus typus lives in a range of environments including marine, brackish, and freshwater ecosystems. It is commonly found at depths from intertidal zones to offshore continental shelves, showing it is able to adapt to both shallow and deeper water habitats.
