Sharks and rays both fall into the "Subclass Elasmobranchii" which includes jawed fishes with cartilaginous skeletons, multiple gill slits, skin covered with tiny tooth-like scales, and rows of regenerating teeth.
From there, the rays of interest noted below fall into the "OrderMyliobatiformes" and "Family Dasyatidae" (Whiptail Stingrays - Genus Dasyatis & Taeniura) and "Family Urolophidae" (Stingarees - Genus Urolophus).
The Chondrichthyes or cartilaginous fishes are jawed fish with paired fins, paired nostrils, scales, two-chambered hearts, and skeletons made of cartilage.
Superorder Rajomorphii (rays and skates), containing the orders:
Hexanchiformes Two families are found within this order.
