Myliobatiformes
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Myliobatiformes (Template:IPAc-en), commonly known as stingrays, are one of the four orders of batoids, cartilaginous fishes related to sharks.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They are members of the subclass elasmobranchs.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref name="nelson">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Characteristics
Myliobatiformes share physical characteristics of a long, thin tail with serrated spines<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and a pancake-like body.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They share many characteristics with the batoid order Rajiformes, in which they were previously included.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> They can camouflage themselves from predators using their flat, disk-shaped bodies to lie against the seafloor.<ref name=":0" />
Classification
Myliobatiformes is classified as follows in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes:<ref name="ECoF">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- 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)
Template:NotelistThe family Aetobatidae is recognised by some authorities. It contains the genus Aetobatus, which is otherwise part of Myliobatidae.<ref name="WhiteNaylor2016">Template:Cite journal</ref>
The families Myliobatidae and Template:ExtinctRhombodontidae are sometimes grouped in their own superfamily, Myliobatoidea.<ref name="Hoganson2019">Template:Cite journal</ref>
Cladogram from Rays of the World (2016):<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Template:Clade