Rays are cartilage fish (Chondrichthyes) that evolved from sharks during the Jurassic period, about 150 million years ago. They have flattened bodies and elongated tails, some with poisonous stingers.  They are bottom-dwellers that hunt on the bottom of the ocean, feeding on crustaceans, mollusks & worms.  They propell themselves with their powerful pectoral fins that ripple & paddle. Their habitats range from shore to extreme depths of over 10,000 feet. They are said to be very intelligent & have a high ratio of brain to body weight. 

 

Brachyrhizodus wichitaensis & Rhombodus laevis

Crusher Teeth

Dermal Scute

1.25 cm (R. laevis)

Skates Skates are cartilage fish believed to be the evolutionary link between Rays & Sharks.  They use their enlongated, toothed snout to impale fish & also to dig up molluscs & crustaceans on muddy seabeds.  Ischyrhiza Mira sawfish (Skate) Rostral teeth Oral teeth

>Ratfish - Chimera Ischyodus cf.bifurcatus Case Jaw Dorsal Fin Spine                    1cm