#sting rays

[moonandtrees]

[protectoursharks]

I heard that sharks and rays are super closely related. Are skates an approximate bridging “group” between them? Or are they outside of both groups

They are all really closely related- there in all the same class known as Chondrichthyes, or cartilaginous fish. Sharks evolved first, approximately 350 million years ago during the Carboniferous period. Skates and ray came around at approximately the same time as each other 150 million years ago during the Jurassic period.

So skates aren't really a "bridging group", they're actually most closely related to rays!

[aquaticplushies]

Manta/Sting Ray plushie made by National Geographic !!

[seasonalwonderment]

Trip Report | Spring Break in the Bahamas - Hi Sugarplum!

[whitefireprincess]

Sting Ray Migration, Anna Maria island | Josh Clarke

[hollowsart]

Rays 💖✨️

[chaobunnyarts]

Rays rays rays

[friendtoanimals]