Aetobatus (from Ancient Greek ἀετός (aetós), meaning "eagle", and βάτος (bátos), meaning "ray") is a genus of eagle rays native to the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. It was formerly placed in Myliobatidae, but is now placed in its own family Aetobatidae based on salient differences from myliobatids, especially the pectoral fins joining the head at the level of the eyes.
Description This genus is diagnosed by a large adult size, which is around wide and largely consisting of a wing-like rhomboidal "disc" (pectoral fins). The trunk is broad, depressed, and thick. The head protrudes forward anteriorly, is narrow, and elevated above the disc, which connects with the head at the level of the eyes. The spiracles are located dorsally and angles towards the sides. The mouth is broad, located ventrally, contains a single tooth plate row, and is surrounded by sensory pores and papillae. The internasal flap possesses a deep "V" shaped notch. A single dorsal fin arises near the base of the very long whip-like tail, which is armed by one or more stinging barbs.
There are currently either 3 or 5 recognized extant species in this genus depending on the status of A. narinari:
Image Common name Scientific name Distribution Long-headed eagle ray Aetobatus flagellum (Bloch & J. G. Schneider, 1801)Indo-West PacificPacific white-spotted eagle rayWhite, W.T. (2014): A revised generic arrangement for the eagle ray family Myliobatidae, with definitions for the valid genera. Zootaxa, 3860 (2): 149–166. Aetobatus laticeps (T. N. Gill, 1865) Baja California to northern Peru, including the Galápagos Spotted eagle ray Aetobatus narinari (Euphrasén, 1790) Atlantic (including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico); worldwide if A. ocellatus and A. laticeps are considered subspecies Naru eagle rayWhite, W.T., Furumitsu, K. & Yamaguchi, A. (2013): A New Species of Eagle Ray Aetobatus narutobiei from the Northwest Pacific: An Example of the Critical Role Taxonomy Plays in Fisheries and Ecological Sciences. PLoS ONE, 8 (12): e83785. Aetobatus narutobiei W. T. White, Furumitsu, A. Yamaguchi, 2013 northwest Pacific off south Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong and Vietnam Ocellated eagle ray Aetobatus ocellatus (Kuhl, 1823) Indo-West Pacific
There are also 6 extinct species (only known from fossil remains) placed in this genus: †Aetobatus arcuatus †Aetobatus cappettai †Aetobatus irregularis †Aetobatus punctatus †Aetobatus poeyi †Aetobatus sinhaleyus
Cladogram based on a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree using a General Time Reversible (GTR+I+G) model based on an alignment of mitochondrial NADH2 sequences (1044 sites):
See also List of prehistoric cartilaginous fish genera
References
Family AETOBATIDAE