Myliobatiformes
In this article, we want to explore and delve into Myliobatiformes, a topic that has captured the attention and interest of many people in recent times. Myliobatiformes has generated debate, research and curiosity in different areas, and its relevance is undeniable. Along these lines, we will delve into the details and particularities of Myliobatiformes, analyzing its impact, its ramifications and its importance today. From different perspectives and approaches, we will seek to understand the extent to which Myliobatiformes shapes our world and our experiences, offering a detailed and comprehensive view of this fascinating topic.
Myliobatiformes (/mɪliˈɒbətɪfɔːrmiːz/), commonly known as stingrays, are one of the four orders of batoids, cartilaginous fishes related to sharks.[1][2] They are members of the subclass elasmobranchs.[3] 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.[4][5]
Characteristics
Myliobatiformes share physical characteristics of a long, thin tail with serrated spines[6] and a pancake-like body.[7] They share many characteristics with the batoid order Rajiformes, in which they were previously included.[7] 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.[7] 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.[8] They can camouflage from predators by using their flat, disk-shaped bodies to lie against the seafloor. [7]
Classification
Myliobatiformes is classified as follows in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes:[9]
- Family Zanobatidae Fowler. 1934 (panrays)
- 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 Myliobatinae. [10]
The families Myliobatidae and Rhombodontidae are sometimes grouped in their own superfamily, Myliobatoidea.[11]
Cladogram
References
- ^ Froese, R.; Pauly, D. "Myliobatiformes". WoRMS. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
- ^ "Order Summary for Myliobatiformes". FishBase. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
- ^ "ITIS - Report: Myliobatiformes". www.itis.gov. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
- ^ Nelson, J.S. (2006). Fishes of the World (fourth ed.). John Wiley. pp. 69–82. ISBN 0-471-25031-7.
- ^ Martin, R. Aidan. "Myliobatiformes: Stingrays". ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
- ^ Stepanek, Rica (2011). A review of the evolution of potamotrygonid freshwater stingrays (Chondrichthyes, Myliobatiformes). Unknown Publisher.
- ^ a b c d "Stingrays: Species". Retrieved 2025-03-28.
- ^ Ebert, David A.; Bigman, Jennifer S.; Lawson, Julia M. (2017-01-01), Larson, Shawn E.; Lowry, Dayv (eds.), "Chapter Two - Biodiversity, Life History, and Conservation of Northeastern Pacific Chondrichthyans", Advances in Marine Biology, Northeast Pacific Shark Biology, Research and Conservation Part A, vol. 77, Academic Press, pp. 9–78, doi:10.1016/bs.amb.2017.07.001, retrieved 2025-03-28
- ^ "Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes Classification". Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ White, William T.; Naylor, Gavin J.P. (2016). "Resurrection of the family Aetobatidae (Myliobatiformes) for the pelagic eagle rays, genus Aetobatus". Zootaxa. 4139 (3): 435–438. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4139.3.10. ISSN 1175-5334. PMID 27470816.
- ^ Hoganson, John; Erickson, J. Mark; Holland, F. D. (2019). "Chondrichthyan and osteichthyan paleofaunas of the Cretaceous (late Maastrichtian) Fox Hills Formation of North Dakota, USA: paleoecology, paleogeography, and extinction. Bulletins of American Paleontology, No. 398: 1–94". Bulletins of American Paleontology. 398. doi:10.32857/bap.2019.398 (inactive 28 March 2025).
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