Rays are the largest group of cartilaginous fishes, with well over 600 species in 26 families. Rays are distinguished by their flattened bodies, enlarged pectoral fins that are fused to the head, and gill slits that are placed on their ventral surfaces.

Ray, any of the cartilaginous fishes of the order Batoidei, related to sharks and placed with them in the class Chondrichthyes. Rays are distinguished from sharks by a flattened, disklike body, with the five gill openings and the mouth generally located on the underside.

Manta rays are large rays belonging to the genus Mobula (formerly its own genus Manta). The larger species, M. birostris, reaches 7 m (23 ft) in width, while the smaller, M. alfredi, reaches 5.5 m (18 ft). Both have triangular pectoral fins, horn-shaped cephalic fins …

Jan 20, 2024 · Rays are a diverse group of cartilaginous fish under the Batoidea superorder closely related to sharks. Hundreds of types of rays are found in oceans worldwide, and each type has its unique behaviors and anatomy.

Apr 14, 2022 · There are approximately 630 different species of rays and skates. Although they are very diverse, they all share a flattened body and the ability to “fly” through the ocean by flapping their pectoral fins like a bird flaps its wings.

Explore 10 different types of rays (Batoidea) and learn how to distinguish them. From the graceful manta rays to the elusive stingrays, discover their distinct characteristics and unravel the secrets of these captivating species. Photo by Shawn Heinrichs | The great Oceanic manta is …

Dec 12, 2019 · Rays are unlike any other animals—their flat bodies and flapping “wings” give them one of the most distinctive silhouettes in the ocean. But with hundreds of species of ray, these critters can be difficult to tell apart. Today, we’re here to help you differentiate between two commons types of ray: stingrays and skates.

Learn about the size, diet, population, habitat, behavior and other interesting facts about rays.

The rays, or batoids, are a group of cartilaginous fish containing more than 500 described species in thirteen families. They include four orders. Rays are mostly flattened in shape, and usually demersal, living and eating at the bottom of the sea.

Rays (ray fishes) are cartilaginous fishes of the order Batoidei, which are linked to sharks and belong to the Chondrichthyes class. This order includes 534 species. Rays are differentiated from sharks by a flattened, disklike body, having five-gill openings and …