Balkan Mole vs Cimar Round Ray

Talpa stankovici compared with Urotrygon cimar

Key Differences

• Balkan Mole is Least Concern while Cimar Round Ray is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Balkan Mole	Cimar Round Ray
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Elasmobranchii
Order	Soricomorpha (Soricomorpha)	Myliobatiformes (Myliobatiformes)
Family	Talpidae	Urotrygonidae
Genus	Talpa	Urotrygon
Species	Talpa stankovici	Urotrygon cimar

Evolutionary Relationship

Balkan Mole and Cimar Round Ray share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Balkan Mole

LC — Least Concern

Cimar Round Ray

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Balkan Mole	Cimar Round Ray
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Balkan Mole

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Cimar Round Ray

Balkan Mole

The Balkan Mole (Talpa stankovici) is a species in the genus Talpa. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Like other members of its genus, this species plays a role in its native ecosystem.

Cimar Round Ray

The Cimar round ray (Urotrygon cimar) is a small stingray in the family Urotrygonidae, found in the eastern Pacific Ocean along the coasts of Central America and northern South America, including the waters of Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador. It inhabits shallow coastal and estuarine waters over sandy and muddy bottoms, typically at depths of less than 50 meters, where it feeds on small benthic invertebrates and fish. Like other round rays in the genus Urotrygon, it has a nearly circular disc outline, a relatively slender tail, and a venomous caudal spine used defensively against predators. The species is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, reflecting its restricted range, vulnerability to coastal habitat degradation, and incidental capture in artisanal and commercial fisheries throughout its range. Bycatch in shrimp trawls and gill nets represents a significant ongoing threat to Urotrygon species throughout the eastern Pacific. Shallow coastal habitats in Central America and Colombia face continued pressure from development, mangrove loss, and pollution. The species' reproductive biology, like that of most Urotrygon rays, involves ovoviviparity, with females giving birth to live young after internal development. Population assessments for this species remain limited, and more data on abundance and mortality rates are needed.