Myliobatiformes

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: Early Cretaceous to recent[1] PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
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 Linnaeus, 1758
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

Camouflaged porcupine ray

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]

Cladogram from Rays of the World (2016):^[13]

Myliobatiformes	Zanobatidae Hexatrygonidae Gymnuridae Plesiobatidae Urolophidae Myliobatidae Aetobatidae Mobulidae Rhinopteridae Dasyatidae 1 Dasyatidae 2 (paraphyly) Potamotrygonidae Urotrygonidae