Classification 255 



Classification: The scientific classification of the sawfish, 



skates, and rays in the area from Cape Cod to Cape 



Hatteras is as follows: 



Class: Chondrichthyes (Elasmobranchs and Chimaeroids) 



Subclass: Elasmobranchii (Sharks, Sawfish, Skates, Rays) 



Order: Batoidei (Sawfish, Skates, Rays) 



Suborder: Pristoidea 



Family: Pristidae (Sawfishes) 



Pristis pectinatus — common sawfish 



Suborder: Torpedinoidea 



Family: Torpedinidae (Torpedoes) 

 Torpedo nobliana — electric ray, torpedo 



Suborder: Rajoidea 



Family: Rajidae (Skates) 



Raja e giant eria — clear-nosed, brier skate 



Raja erinacea — little skate 



Raja garmani — rosetted skate, leopard skate 



Raja laevis — barn-door skate 



Raja ocellata — big skate 



Raja radiata — thorny skate 



Raja senta — smooth-tailed skate 



Suborder: Myliobatoidea 



Family: Dasyatidae (Sting Rays) 

 Dasyatis americana — southern sting ray 

 Dasyatis centroura — northern sting ray 

 Dasyatis sahina — stingaree 

 Dasyatis say — Say's sting ray 



Family: Gymnuridae (Butterfly ^ays) 

 Gymnura altavela — giant butterfly ray 

 Gymnura micrura — lesser butterfly ray 



Family: Myliobatidae (Eagle Rays) 

 Myliobatis freminvillii — eagle ray 

 Aetobatus narinari — spotted eagle ray 



Family: Rhinopteridae (Cow-nosed Rays) 

 Rhinoptera bonasus — cow-nosed ray 



