Myliobatiformes

Common Names

The common names for members of Myliobatiformes include rays, skates, and guitarfishes. Some species may also have specific names, such as the manta ray, stingray, and eagle ray.

Characteristics

Myliobatiformes share several key characteristics:

• Flattened bodies: They have a dorsoventrally flattened body shape, allowing them to live on the seabed or in the water column.
• Wing-like pectoral fins: Their pectoral fins are large and wing-like, enabling them to glide through the water.
• Five gill slits: They have five gill slits on the ventral side of their bodies.
• Spiracle: They possess a spiracle, a breathing hole on the dorsal side of the head, which allows them to breathe while resting on the seabed.
• Heterocercal tail: Their tails are heterocercal, meaning the upper lobe is larger than the lower lobe.
• Venomous spine: Many species have a venomous spine located on the tail, which they use for defense.
• Teeth: Their teeth are adapted for crushing prey, depending on their diet.

Environments

Myliobatiformes are found in a variety of marine environments, including:

• Coastal waters: Many species inhabit coastal waters, from shallow reefs to deeper bays and estuaries.
• Open ocean: Some species, like manta rays, are found in the open ocean.
• Tropical and temperate waters: They are distributed across tropical and temperate regions worldwide.

References

FishBase

Elasmobranch Research Institute

World Register of Marine Species