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Dermal tubercles and bucklers of gigantic stingrays (Dasyatidae) from the Pleistocene of South Carolina and the stratigraphic origin of “Ceratoptera unios” Leidy, 1877

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Abstract

Rays (Batoidea) possess some of the absolutely largest dermal elements of any cartilaginous fish. One of the largest known batoid dermal elements is an isolated fossil tubercle originally interpreted as a manta ray caudal stinger and named Ceratoptera unios Leidy, 1877 from an unknown locality near Charleston, South Carolina. Though recently considered to be a stingray (Dasyatidae), the lack of stratigraphic provenience for the specimen has hampered attempts to identify it. A new collection of gigantic dermal tubercles and bucklers from the Lower Pleistocene Waccamaw Formation of South Carolina includes mid-dorsal tubercles similar in morphology to “Ceratoptera unios” and dermal bucklers similar in morphology to those of the extant roughtail stingray Bathytoshia centroura (Mitchill, 1815). Mid-dorsal tubercles and bucklers suggest gigantic stingrays in excess of 3 m disc width. These new specimens suggest that C. unios may have originated from upper Pliocene or Pleistocene deposits, and possible synonymy with Bathytoshia centroura, pending careful study of extant dasyatid dermal elements.

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Fig. 1

Modified from Boessenecker et al. (2018: fig. 1) and reproduced from Leidy (1877; pl. 34: 1–2)

Fig. 2

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All specimens studied herein are curated within established natural history museums.

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Acknowledgements

This study would not have been possible without the generosity of Sam Davis, Ashby Gale and Jordan Taylor, Ivan Tomkins, and Bricky Way, who kindly donated the specimens reported herein. We would like to thank James Austin for field access and Sarah Boessenecker, Mark Bunce, Ashby Gale, and Jordan Taylor for field assistance at Austin Sand Pit #2. This study benefited from discussions on South Carolina stratigraphy and paleontology with Ashby Gale and Rob Weems. Thanks to J. Peragine (Charleston Museum) and Sarah Boessenecker (CCNHM), who facilitated study of specimens under their care. This study benefited greatly from constructive reviews by J. Carrillo-Briceño and A. Collareta and comments from the editors.

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  1. Mace Brown Museum of Natural History, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, 29420, USA

    Robert W. Boessenecker

  2. Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, 29420, USA

    Robert W. Boessenecker

  3. University of California Museum of Paleontology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA

    Robert W. Boessenecker

  4. Charleston Museum, Charleston, SC, 29403, USA

    Matthew L. Gibson

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  1. Robert W. Boessenecker
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Correspondence to Robert W. Boessenecker.

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Handling Editor: Jürgen Kriwet.

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Boessenecker, R.W., Gibson, M.L. Dermal tubercles and bucklers of gigantic stingrays (Dasyatidae) from the Pleistocene of South Carolina and the stratigraphic origin of “Ceratoptera unios” Leidy, 1877. PalZ 96, 267–273 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12542-021-00592-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12542-021-00592-5

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