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Batoid
Batomorphi is a division of cartilaginous fishes, commonly known as rays, this taxon is also known as the superorder Batoidea, but the 5th edition of ''Fishes of the World'' classifies it as the division Batomorphi. They and their close relatives, the sharks, compose the subclass Elasmobranchii. Rays are the largest group of cartilaginous fishes, with well over 600 species in 26 families. Rays are distinguished by their flattened bodies, enlarged pectoral fins that are fused to the head, and gill slits that are placed on their ventral surfaces. Anatomy Batomorphs are flat-bodied, and, like sharks, are cartilaginous fish, meaning they have a boneless skeleton made of a tough, elastic cartilage. Most batomorphs have five ventral slot-like body openings called gill slits that lead from the gills, but the Hexatrygonidae have six. Batomorph gill slits lie under the pectoral fins on the underside, whereas a shark's are on the sides of the head. Most batomorphs have a flat, mantle-li ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Myliobatoidea
Stingrays are a group of sea rays, a type of cartilaginous fish. They are classified in the suborder Myliobatoidei of the order Myliobatiformes and consist of eight families: Hexatrygonidae (sixgill stingray), Plesiobatidae (deepwater stingray), Urolophidae (stingarees), Urotrygonidae (round rays), Dasyatidae (whiptail stingrays), Potamotrygonidae (river stingrays), Gymnuridae (butterfly rays) and Myliobatidae (eagle rays). There are about 220 known stingray species organized into 29 genera. Stingrays are common in coastal tropical and subtropical marine waters throughout the world. Some species, such as the thorntail stingray (''Dasyatis thetidis''), are found in warmer temperate oceans and others, such as the deepwater stingray (''Plesiobatis daviesi''), are found in the deep ocean. The river stingrays and a number of whiptail stingrays (such as the Niger stingray (''Fontitrygon garouaensis'')) are restricted to fresh water. Most myliobatoids are demersal (inhabiting the n ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hexatrygonidae
The sixgill stingray (''Hexatrygon bickelli'') is a species of stingray and the only extant member of the family Hexatrygonidae. Although several species of sixgill stingrays have been described historically, they may represent variations in a single, widespread species. This flabby, heavy-bodied fish, described only in 1980, is unique among rays in having six pairs of gill slits rather than five. Growing up to long, it has a rounded pectoral fin disc and a long, triangular, and flexible snout filled with a gelatinous substance. It is brownish above and white below, and lacks dermal denticles. Benthic in nature, the sixgill stingray is usually found in deep waters over upper continental slopes and seamounts at depths of , the deepest-living stingray species known. It has been recorded from scattered locations in the Indo-Pacific from South Africa to Hawaii. This species probably uses its snout to probe for food in the bottom sediment. Its jaws are greatly protrusible, allowing ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Myliobatiformes
Myliobatiformes (), commonly known as stingrays, are one of the four orders of batoids, cartilaginous fishes related to sharks. They are members of the subclass elasmobranchs. They were formerly included in the order Rajiformes, but more recent phylogenetic studies have shown the myliobatiformes to be a monophyletic group, and its more derived members evolved their highly flattened shapes independently of the skates. Characteristics Myliobatiformes share physical characteristics of a long, thin tail with serrated spines and a pancake-like body. They share many characteristics with the batoid order Rajiformes, in which they were previously included. The key difference of the orders is the Myliobatiformes' single-lobed pelvic fin, lack of a mid-tail spine, and general lack of a dorsal fin. Myliobatiformes also possess stinging spines along the tail's base, and generally possess large pectoral fins that are completely fused (except Myliobatidae) to the head. They can camoufla ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rhinopristiformes
Rhinopristiformes is an order of rays, cartilaginous fishes related to sharks, containing shovelnose rays and allied groups. Families Rhinopristiformes contains the following families: * Trygonorrhinidae Last, Séret & Naylor, 2016 (fiddler rays or banjo rays) * Rhinobatidae Bonaparte, 1835 (guitarfishes) * Rhinidae J. P. Müller & Henle, 1841 (bowmouth guitarfishes or wedgefishes) * Glaucostegidae Last, Séret & Naylor, 2016 (giant guitarfishes) * Pristidae Bonaparte, 1835 (sawfishes) Two additional families are associated with the order but their phylogenetic relationships have not been fully resolved: * Family Platyrhinidae (thornback rays) * Family Zanobatidae (panrays) The following fossil genera are also possibly rhinopristiforms, but phylogenetic relationships are uncertain: * †'' Britobatos'' Claeson, Underwood & Ward, 2013 (Santonian of Lebanon, likely a stem- platyrhinid) * †'' Stahlraja'' Brito, Leal & Gallo, 2013 (Albian of Brazil, likely a stem- ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus Narinari)2
The spotted eagle ray (''Aetobatus narinari'') is a cartilaginous fish of the eagle ray family, Aetobatidae. As traditionally recognized, it is found globally in tropical regions, including the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Recent authorities have restricted it to the Atlantic (including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico) with other populations recognized as the ocellated eagle ray (''A. ocellatus'') and Pacific white-spotted eagle ray (''A. laticeps''). Spotted eagle rays are most commonly seen alone, but occasionally swim in groups. They are ovoviviparous, the female retaining the eggs then releasing the young as miniature versions of the parent. This ray can be identified by its dark dorsal surface covered in white spots or rings. Near the base of the ray's relatively long tail, just behind the pelvic fins, are several venomous, barbed stingers. Spotted eagle rays commonly feed on small fish and crustaceans, and will sometimes dig with their snouts to look for food bu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shark
Sharks are a group of elasmobranch cartilaginous fish characterized by a ribless endoskeleton, dermal denticles, five to seven gill slits on each side, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. Modern sharks are classified within the Division (taxonomy), division Selachii and are the sister group to the Batoidea, Batomorphi (Batoidea, rays and skate (fish), skates). Some sources extend the term "shark" as an informal category including Extinction, extinct members of Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish) with a shark-like morphology, such as hybodonts. Shark-like chondrichthyans such as ''Cladoselache'' and ''Doliodus'' first appeared in the Devonian Period (419–359 million years), though some fossilized chondrichthyan-like scales are as old as the Ordovician, Late Ordovician (458–444 million years ago). The earliest confirmed modern sharks (Selachii) are known from the Early Jurassic around , with the oldest known member being ''Agaleus'', though records of true shar ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pelagic Stingray
The pelagic stingray (''Pteroplatytrygon violacea'') is a species of stingray in the family Dasyatidae, and the sole member of its genus. It is characterized by the wedge-like shape of its pectoral fin disc, which is much wider than long, as well as by the pointed teeth in both sexes, whip-like tail with extremely long tail spine, and uniform violet to blue-green coloration. It generally reaches in width. The pelagic stingray has a worldwide distribution in waters warmer than , and migrates seasonally to spend the summer closer to the continental shelf and at higher latitudes. The only stingray that almost exclusively inhabits the open ocean, this species is typically found in surface waters down to a depth of . As a consequence of its midwater habits, its swimming style has evolved to feature more of a flapping motion of the pectoral fins, as opposed to the disc margin undulations used by other, bottom-dwelling stingrays. The diet of the pelagic stingray consists of free-swimm ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sawfish (fish)
Sawfish, also known as carpenter sharks, are a family of very large rays characterized by a long, narrow, flattened rostrum, or nose extension, lined with sharp transverse teeth, arranged in a way that resembles a saw. They are among the largest fish, with some species reaching lengths of about . They are found worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions in coastal marine and brackish estuarine waters, as well as freshwater rivers and lakes. All species are critically endangered. They should not be confused with sawsharks (order Pristiophoriformes) or the extinct sclerorhynchoids (order Rajiformes) which have a similar appearance, or swordfish (family Xiphiidae) which have a similar name but a very different appearance. Sawfishes are relatively slow breeders and the females give birth to live young. They feed on fish and invertebrates that are detected and captured with the use of their saw. They are generally harmless to humans, but can inflict serious injuries with the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rajiformes
Rajiformes is one of the four Order (biology), orders in the clade Batomorphi, often referred to as the superorder Batoidea, flattened cartilaginous fishes related to sharks. Rajiforms are distinguished by the presence of greatly enlarged pectoral fins, which reach as far forward as the sides of the head, with a generally flattened body. The undulatory pectoral fin motion diagnostic to this taxon is known as Batoid locomotion, rajiform locomotion. The eyes and Spiracle (vertebrates), spiracles are located on the upper surface of the head and the gill slits are on the underside of the body. Most species give birth to live young, although some lay eggs enclosed in a horny capsule ("mermaid's purse"). Characteristics Rajoids typically have a dorsoventrally flattened body. The snout is slender and pointed and the wide mouth, often covered with a fleshy nasal flap, is on the underside of the head. The eyes and well-developed spiracles are located on the top of the head. In most spec ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Guitarfish
The guitarfish, also referred to as shovelnose rays, are a family, Rhinobatidae, of rays. The guitarfish are known for an elongated body with a flattened head and trunk and small, ray-like wings. The combined range of the various species is tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate waters worldwide. Names In Australia and New Zealand, guitarfish are commonly referred to as shovelnose rays or shovelnose sharks. Description Guitarfish have a body form intermediate between those of sharks and rays. The tail has a typical shark-like form, but in many species, the head has a triangular, or guitar-like shape, rather than the disc-shape formed by fusion with the pectoral fins found in other rays. Reproduction Guitarfish can be ovoviviparous; the embryo matures inside an egg within the mother until it is ready to hatch. This is typical of rays. Habitat Guitarfish are bottom feeders that bury themselves in mud or sand and eat worms, crabs, and clams. Some can tolerate salt, fresh, and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Elasmobranchii
Elasmobranchii () is a subclass of Chondrichthyes or cartilaginous fish, including modern sharks ( division Selachii), and batomorphs (division Batomorphi, including rays, skates, and sawfish). Members of this subclass are characterised by having five to seven pairs of gill slits opening individually to the exterior, rigid dorsal fins and small placoid scales on the skin. The teeth are in several series; the upper jaw is not fused to the cranium, and the lower jaw is articulated with the upper. The details of this jaw anatomy vary between species, and help distinguish the different elasmobranch clades. The pelvic fins in males are modified to create claspers for the transfer of sperm. There is no swim bladder; instead, these fish maintain buoyancy with large livers rich in oil. The definition of the clade is unclear with respect to fossil chondrichthyans. Some authors consider it as equivalent to Neoselachii (the crown group clade including modern sharks, rays, and all o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Skate (fish)
Skates are Chondrichthyes, cartilaginous fish belonging to the family (biology), family Rajidae in the superorder Batoidea of Ray (fish), rays. More than 150 species have been described, in 17 genera. Arhynchobatidae, Softnose skates and Gurgesiellidae, pygmy skates were previously treated as subfamilies of Rajidae (Arhynchobatinae and Gurgesiellinae), but are now considered as distinct families. Alternatively, the name "skate" is used to refer to the entire order of Rajiformes (families Anacanthobatidae, Arhynchobatidae, Gurgesiellidae and Rajidae). Members of Rajidae are distinguished by a stiff snout and a rostrum (anatomy), rostrum that is not reduced. Taxonomy and systematics Evolution Skates belong to the ancient lineage of cartilaginous fishes. Fossil Dermal denticle, denticles (tooth-like scales in the skin) resembling those of today's chondrichthyans date at least as far back as the Ordovician, with the oldest unambiguous fossils of cartilaginous fish dating from the m ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
