Genus: Myliobatis, Bat Eagle Rays, Bullnose Eagle Ray

MYLIOBATIS

BAT EAGLE RAYS

Disc greatly flattened, rhomboidal, much broader than long, pectoral tips pointed; trunk of body broad, depressed, thick; head narrow, distinctly raised from disc, protruding forwards; front edges of pectoral fins join head under eyes, with or without a ridge under eyes connected to the disc; eyes and spiracles on sides of head; mouth broad, flap between nostrils straight to slightly undulated, without deep V-shaped notch; teeth in 7 (6-10) rows on each jaw, middle row largest, upper and lower tooth plates similar in shape; tail whip-like, usually much longer than disc, 1 or more poisonous spines behind dorsal fin; no tail fin; a small dorsal fin at base of tail, its rear edge joined to tail,1-2 large spines at base, after small dorsal fin that is behind pelvic-fin free rear tips.

A circumtropical genus, except for central Pacific, contains 14 species; with two west Atlantic species in our region.