Greenback stingaree
The greenback stingaree (Urolophus viridis) is a little-known species of stingray in the family Urolophidae, endemic to the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope off southeastern Australia. Growing to a length of , this species has a diamond-shaped pectoral fin disc wider than long and uniformly light green in color above. Between its nostrils is a skirt-shaped curtain of skin. Its tail bears skin folds on either side and a deep, lanceolate caudal fin, but lacks a dorsal fin. Usually found over soft substrates at a depth of , the greenback stingaree is a predator of polychaete worms and crustaceans. It is aplacental viviparous, with developing embryos are sustained by maternally produced histotroph ("uterine milk"). Females bear litters of 1–3 pups annually after a 10–12 month gestation period. Substantial numbers of greenback stingarees are caught incidentally in trawls; captured rays rarely survive and also tend to abort their young. Stingaree populations on the New South Wales upper slope, presumably including this species, have declined precipitously as a result of commercial fishing. Consequently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the greenback stingaree as Vulnerable. Taxonomy The greenback stingaree was described by Australian ichthyologist Allan Riverstone McCulloch