Batoidea

Superorder of fish containing the rays, stingrays, sawfish, and skates. This is one of the two superorders of cartilaginous fish (the other, Galeomorphi, comprising the sharks).

Batoids are characterized by having gill openings on their ventral (under) surface, and enlarged pectoral fins attached to the head in front of the gills. They are primarily adapted for living on the sea bottom, though some, like the devil rays (manta rays), have developed winglike pectoral fins that enable them to ‘fly’ in the open sea. There are four orders of living batoids, and more than 500 species. The order Rajiformes, which comprises the skates (Rajidae) and guitarfish (Rhinobatidae), has existed from the Lower Jurassic period. The sawfish order Pristiformes has survived from the Jurassic period. Order Torpediniformes has existed from the Eocene period and contains the numbfishes and torpedoes (electric rays). Order Myliobatiformes has existed from the Cretaceous period and is r epresented today by the stingrays, eagle rays, and devil rays (manta rays).

Classification The superorder Batoidea is in the subclass Elasmobranchii in the class Chondrichthyes.