Giant stingrays and their relatives have long puzzled scientists with their massive, whip-like tails that can stretch nearly 30 feet across. Unlike other fish, these creatures don’t use their tails to swim or defend themselves. Instead, researchers believe that the tails may function as a fine-tuned antenna, detecting approaching danger.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences analyzed the anatomy of cownose rays, a smaller relative of manta rays. The research team discovered specialized organs in the tail that help sense underwater stimuli. These findings suggest that other oceanic rays may use their rear appendages to detect threats.
The tails of cownose rays are pockmarked with holes linked to the fish’s lateral line canal, a system of sensory organs found in most aquatic vertebrates. This network helps the rays pinpoint stimuli in the surrounding water, making it an early warning system for potential predators. The study’s authors believe that this structure would be particularly useful when cownose rays descend to the seafloor and bury their heads in the sand.
The discovery of the tail’s sensory function is surprising, as most stingray species have short, muscular tails used for defense. However, researchers propose that the long tails of giant stingrays may serve multiple purposes, including detecting danger and stabilizing the fish as it swims. Further analysis of other species, including manta rays, will help confirm the role of these remarkable appendages.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/21/science/stingray-tail-antenna.html