Myliobatiformes
Order of cartilaginous fishes
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Myliobatiformes (/mɪliˈɒbətɪfɔːrmiːz/), commonly known as stingrays, are one of the four orders of batoids, cartilaginous fishes related to sharks.[2][3] They are members of the subclass elasmobranchs.[4] 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.[5][6]
| Myliobatiformes Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
| |
| Short-tail stingray, Dasyatis brevicaudata | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Division: | Batomorphi |
| Order: | Myliobatiformes Compagno, 1973 |
| Type species | |
| Myliobatis aquila | |
| Families | |
|
See text | |
Characteristics
Myliobatiformes share physical characteristics of a long, thin tail with serrated spines[7] and a pancake-like body.[8] They share many characteristics with the batoid order Rajiformes, in which they were previously included.[8] 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.[8] 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.[9] They can camouflage themselves from predators using their flat, disk-shaped bodies to lie against the seafloor.[8]
Classification
Myliobatiformes is classified as follows in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes:[10]
- Family Zanobatidae Fowler. 1934 (panrays)
Suborder Myliobatoidei Compagno, 1973
- Family Hexatrygonidae Heemstra & M. M. Smith, 1980 (sixgill stingrays)
- Family Dasyatidae D. S. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879 (whiptail stingrays)
- Subfamily Dasyatinae D. S. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879 (stingrays)
- Subfamily Neotrygoninae Castelnau, 1873 (shortsnout stingrays)
- Subfamily Urogymninae Gray, 1851 (whiprays)
- Subfamily Hypolophinae Stromer, 1910 (cowtail stingrays)
- Family Potamotrygonidae Garman, 1877 (neotropical stingrays)
- Subfamily Styracurinae Carvalho, Loboda & da Silva 2016 (whiptail stingrays)
- Subfamily Potamotrygoninae Garman 1877 (river stingrays)
- Family Urotrygonidae McEachran, Dunn & Miyake, 1996 (American round stingrays)
- Family Gymnuridae Fowler, 1934 (butterfly rays)
- Family Plesiobatidae K. Nishida, 1990 (deepwater stingrays or giant stingarees)
- Family Urolophidae J. P. Müller & Henle 1841 (round stingrays or stingarees)
- Family Aetobatidae Agassiz, 1858 (pelagic eagle rays)
- Family Myliobatidae Bonaparte 1835 (eagle rays)
- Family Rhinopteridae D. S, Jordan & Evermann, 1896 (cownose rays)
- Family Mobulidae Gill, 1893 (mantas or devil rays)
The family Aetobatidae is recognised by some authorities. It contains the genus Aetobatus, which is otherwise part of Myliobatidae.[11]
The families Myliobatidae and †Rhombodontidae are sometimes grouped in their own superfamily, Myliobatoidea.[12]