Scientific name Myliobatis Higher classification Eagle ray Order Stingrays | Family Myliobatidae Phylum Chordata Rank Genus Subclass Elasmobranchii | |
 | ||
Lower classifications Common eagle ray, Bat ray, Australian bull ray, New Zealand eagle ray, Longnose eagle ray | ||
Bat ray myliobatis californica
Myliobatis is a genus of eagle rays in the family Myliobatidae.
Contents
Bat ray myliobatis californica caught and released
Description
Myliobatis species can reach a length of about 150 centimetres (59 in). Body consist of a rhomboidal disc, wider than long, with a one dorsal fin. The head is broad and short, with eyes and spiracles on the sides. The tail is slender, with 1-2 large spines at the base, without tail fin.
The teeth are arranged in the lower and upper jaw in flat tooth plates called pavement teeth, each consisting of about 7 series of plates. Said mouth plates are useful to crush clam shells and crustaceans.
Biology
Myliobatis species are ovoviviparous. Their gestation last about 6 months and a female produces 4-7 embryos. Myliobatis species mainly feed on molluscs, bottom-living crustaceans and small fishes.
Habitat
Mylobatis species live in warm, shallow waters. Adults prefer sandy shores while juveniles can usually be encountered offshore.
Extant Species
There are currently 11 recognized species in this genus:
Extinct Species
Extinct species within this genus include:
These eagle rays lived from the Cretaceous to the Quaternary periods (from 70.6 to 0.012 Ma). Fossils of these fishes have been found worldwide.
The extinct species Myliobatis dixoni is known from Tertiary deposits along the Atlantic seaboards of the United States, Brazil, Nigeria, England, and Germany.