Shale_stack Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Found these on vacation in Virginia. Are they the same type of ray despite the different look ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClearLake Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 If I am visualizing these two correctly, I would say they are two different types. But ray teeth can differ greatly in shape within an individual mouthplate. One of the real differences between genera can best be seen in profile view, so pictures from some different angles might make it easier. I believe the lower one in your picture is an Aetobatus (looks like the root extends well past the crown and it appears to have a curved, rounded end not an angular one) and the other one is perhaps a Rhinoptera but someone like @sixgill pete or @Al Dente will probably recognize these more confidently. This website has a nice guide to walk you through the features to look for: http://elasmo.com/refs/slides/ss_myliobatid.html 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Dente Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 I agree with ClearLake that the lower one is Aetobatus, their teeth tend to narrow toward the ends and curve toward the back. The other tooth could be Rhinoptera, but a more complete tooth would be easier to ID. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Agree with the above. And just to be clear with the terminology both of these tooth plates are from Eagle Rays (family Myliobatidae) and not Whiptail Stingrays (family Dasyatidae). Stingrays have super tiny little teeth that are quite different from the myliobatid rays. See images below for examples of actual stingray teeth. Cheers. -Ken 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shale_stack Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 12 hours ago, digit said: Agree with the above. And just to be clear with the terminology both of these tooth plates are from Eagle Rays (family Myliobatidae) and not Whiptail Stingrays (family Dasyatidae). Stingrays have super tiny little teeth that are quite different from the myliobatid rays. See images below for examples of actual stingray teeth. Cheers. -Ken Thanks for the clarification. Wow those stingray teeth! I’ll have to go find some! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 For clarity: 1 http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shale_stack Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 On 2/2/2023 at 12:29 AM, ClearLake said: If I am visualizing these two correctly, I would say they are two different types. But ray teeth can differ greatly in shape within an individual mouthplate. One of the real differences between genera can best be seen in profile view, so pictures from some different angles might make it easier. I believe the lower one in your picture is an Aetobatus (looks like the root extends well past the crown and it appears to have a curved, rounded end not an angular one) and the other one is perhaps a Rhinoptera but someone like @sixgill pete or @Al Dente will probably recognize these more confidently. This website has a nice guide to walk you through the features to look for: http://elasmo.com/refs/slides/ss_myliobatid.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now