Urolophidae

Mitotic stingaree

Urolophus mitosis

Blue spots mimic mitotic cells

• Tropical
• Regional distribution
• Marine fish
• Indian Ocean
• Oceania
• Medium
• Tropical fish

The mitotic stingaree (Urolophus mitosis) or blotched stingaree, is a little-known species of stingray in the family Urolophidae, so named because it has light blue blotches on its back that resemble cells undergoing mitotic division. Though not uncommon, it is found only in a small area of the outer continental shelf off northwestern Australia, at around 200 m (660 ft) down. This species attains a length of 29 cm (11 in) long and has a diamond-shaped pectoral fin disc with broadly rounded corners and a skirt-shaped curtain of skin between the nostrils.