Origin/History

Common Name and meaning:

Stingray- any of numerous rays with one or more large sharp barbed dorsal spines near the base of the whip like tail capable of inflicting wounds.

Closely related to:

Sharks. It is proven that Stingray have evolved from sharks. Some homologous traits are that they both have gills, fins, scales, and are cartilaginous fish.

Evolutionary History:

These fishes have cruised the oceans since the Paleozoic era, but the basic body plan of the ray is thought to have originated during the Jurassic period, approximately 100 Mya. This design, coupled with the lack of a swim bladder and powerful jaws designed for crushing hard shells of mollusk's such as clams and muscles.