Questions and Answers
What are stingrays classified as?
What is the phylum classification of stingrays?
Chordata
The class Chondrichthyes contains __________ fishes.
cartilaginous
All stingray species are found in freshwater.
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What is the defining feature of Chondrichthyes?
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Match the following words with their definitions:
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What is the maximum length the sixgill stingray can grow to?
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What type of birth do sixgill stingrays have?
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The deepwater stingray is classified under the family Plesiobatidae.
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What is the typical depth range where the deepwater stingray is found?
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What is the main diet of the deepwater stingray?
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Study Notes
Stingrays
- Stingrays are cartilaginous fish related to sharks, classified under the suborder Myliobatoidei within the order Myliobatiformes.
- There are eight families of stingrays, including Hexatrygonidae (sixgill stingray), Dasyatidae (whiptail stingrays), and Gymnuridae (butterfly rays).
- Common in coastal tropical and subtropical marine waters, some species also reside in deeper ocean areas and freshwater habitats.
- Majority of stingrays inhabit the benthic zone, while species like pelagic stingray and eagle rays are pelagic.
Chondrichthyes
- Chondrichthyes includes cartilaginous fish characterized by their jawed vertebrate structure, paired fins, and cartilage instead of bone.
- The class is divided into two subclasses: Elasmobranchii (sharks, rays, skates) and Holocephali (chimaeras).
Myliobatiformes
- Myliobatiformes is one of the four orders of batoids, distinct from the former order Rajiformes.
- Recent studies confirm that myliobatiforms form a monophyletic group and evolved their unique shapes independently from skates.
Sixgill Stingray
- The sixgill stingray (Hexatrygon bickelli) is recognized for its six pairs of gill slits and is the sole member of the family Hexatrygonidae.
- It measures up to 1.7 m (5.6 ft) and is found at depths of 500-1,120 m (1,640-3,670 ft) in the Indo-Pacific region.
- This species uses its unique long snout to find food by probing bottom sediments and gives live birth to two to five pups.
- The IUCN categorizes it as Least Concern due to low fishing pressure.
Deepwater Stingray
- The deepwater stingray (Plesiobatis daviesi) is the only species in the family Plesiobatidae, reaching lengths of 2.7 m (8.9 ft).
- Lives over fine sediments at depths of 275-680 m (900-2,230 ft) and has a distinctive tail with a long, leaf-shaped fin.
- Feeds on crustaceans and bony fishes, potentially hunting both along the sea floor and in open water.
- Also assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with little threat from fishing.
Urolophidae
- Urolophidae, commonly known as stingarees or round stingrays, are a family within Myliobatiformes.
- This family primarily inhabits the Indo-Pacific region, although the classification has evolved, separating some genera into their own family, Urotrygonidae.
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Description
This quiz provides an overview of stingrays, detailing their classification and the various families within the group. Learn about their relation to sharks and the challenges they face as many species are endangered. Test your knowledge on this unique group of cartilaginous fish.
