About Taeniura lessoni Last, White & Naylor, 2016
The Oceania fantail ray (scientific name Taeniura lessoni Last, White & Naylor, 2016) can be identified by several distinct characteristics. These include the lack of a pair of bluish longitudinal stripes along the sides of the tail, the absence of a dorsal fold, with a firm ridge along the upper margin of the tail instead, a relatively short post-orbital disc, and a uniformly pale ventral fold. This species reaches a maximum disc width of approximately 21 to 22 centimeters, or 8.3 to 8.7 inches. This ray is typically found in inshore areas, particularly in coral reef habitats, at a depth of around 18 meters (60 feet). It has been recorded in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji, though its full distribution range may extend beyond these locations. There are no documented reports of this species being caught by fisheries. The only potential threat identified for the Oceania fantail ray occurs at the habitat level, such as coral bleaching caused by climate change.
