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Cartilaginous Fish |
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The skeletons of sharks,
skates, and rays are composed of cartilage rather than bone. The 800
or so species primarily inhabit the marine realm, but a few venture
into freshwater. Although they have a reputation for being
dangerous, only a handful of species pose a threat to humans and the
majority are quite harmless. In fact, sharks and their allies are
extremely beneficial. They are among the top predators in the food
chain, thus their presence is critical for maintaining the balance
of marine ecosystems. And, because they are not readily subject to
infections, medical scientists expect to learn much from them that
will benefit humans. Unfortunately, many species are under severe
threat, from over fishing for food, as well as from wanton killing.
Given their importance, conservation of these magnificent creatures
is crucial. |
KNOWN SPECIES:
Approximately 800 to 850
SIZE RANGE:
Less than 1 meter to over 12 meters
CHARACTERISTICS: animals with a backbone, head, eyes, a
brain; have bilateral symmetry; without boney skeleton - employs
soft cartilage instead. |
WHERE THEY LIVE:
In oceans, some in fresh waters
FACT:
About half of all Vertebrates are Fish |
ECOLOGICAL ROLES
AND HUMAN USES:
Carnivores
(often the ultimate predator in ecosystems); Filter feeders; Used by
humans as food, in commerce (animal feed, sharkskin leather,
shark-tooth jewelry, shark-liver oil, lubricants, fertilizers, and
in medicine (research models, source of vitamin A and medicines, in
transplants and grafts) |
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Source: American Museum Of
Natural History
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Sharks,
skates, and rays are composed of two main groups, and numerous
subgroups: |
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Superorder Selachii
(Sharks)
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Superoraer Batoiaea
(Rays)
Order Rajiformes
Order
Torpediniformes
Family
Torpedinidae (electric rays)
Order Pristiformes
Family Pristidae
(sawfish)
Order
Myliobatiformes
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source seaworld |
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Source: American Museum Of
Natural History |
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Stingrays |
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Male Atlantic Stingray -
Lobby Touch Tank |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness
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Southern Male |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness |
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Male Southern Stingray - Claspers Visible Under Base Of Tail - Lobby
Touch Tank |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness |
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Cow Nosed Rays - Beach Exhibit |
© Photo By: Florida Aquarium
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Cow Nosed Rays - Beach Exhibit |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness |
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Cow Nosed Stingrays - Part Of The Whip-Tail Stingray Family - Beach
Exhibit |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness |
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Upside Down Ray - See His Mouth? |
© Photo By: Tim
McGuinness
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Stingray - Even In Brackish Water - Wetlands |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness
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Perfect Camouflage - He's A Male, See His Claspers? - Bays Exhibit |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness
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Baby Cow
Nosed Stingray - Born
April 7th, 2006 - Beach Tank Notice His Stinging Barb! |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness |
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Skates |
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Baby Skate - Newly Hatched |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness
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Skate - Lobby Skate Nursery |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness
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Skate Egg
"Mermaid's Purse" |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness |
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Guitarfish |
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Guitar Fish (In The Ray Family) |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness |
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Guitar Fish Jaws |
© Photo By: unknown |
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Guitar Fish Are Also Known As
banjo
shark,
fiddler ray, shark ray,
shovel-nose ray, white-spotted
shovelnose ray. |
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Sharks |
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Nurse Shark |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness
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White Tip Shark - Indo-Pacific |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness
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Zebra Shark - In Shark Bay |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness |
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Bonnethead Shark - Bays Exhibit |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness
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Sand Bar Shark - Bays Exhibit |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness |
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Sand Tiger Shark - Florida Waters - A close relative of the Nurse Shark
- At Shark Bay |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness |
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Chimera |
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Pacific
Spotted Ratfish |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness |
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Ratfish - Relative Of Sharks
- In Sea Hunt Exhibit |
© Photo By: Tim McGuinness |
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Thanks To Our
Contributors On This Page: Tim McGuinness • Florida Aquarium |
