Cimar Round Ray vs Desmarest’s Spiny Pocket Mouse

Urotrygon cimar compared with Heteromys desmarestianus

Key Differences

• Cimar Round Ray is Near Threatened while Desmarest’s Spiny Pocket Mouse is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Cimar Round Ray	Desmarest’s Spiny Pocket Mouse
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Elasmobranchii	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Myliobatiformes (Myliobatiformes)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Urotrygonidae	Heteromyidae
Genus	Urotrygon	Heteromys
Species	Urotrygon cimar	Heteromys desmarestianus

Evolutionary Relationship

Cimar Round Ray and Desmarest’s Spiny Pocket Mouse share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Cimar Round Ray

NT — Near Threatened

Desmarest’s Spiny Pocket Mouse

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Cimar Round Ray	Desmarest’s Spiny Pocket Mouse
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Cimar Round Ray

Desmarest’s Spiny Pocket Mouse

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Colombia.

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.