SkaTES, RAYS and FISH

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The Eagle Rays
Myliobatis sp. (Cuvier)

Age  Tertiary - Occurrence  Common
 

Also know as Eagle rays, this group of rays have modified teeth that interlock together to form flat crushing plates ideal for oysters and crustaceans on the sea floor. These teeth are common finds in the streams of NJ and are usually limited to individual teeth under an inch long. These hexagon shaped teeth are highly resistant to stream wear.

 

 

The crushing surface of Myliobatis teeth are coated with a hard enamel, while
the root has a series of comb like ridges.
Scale 1 inch
Monmouth County, NJ.

 

 

At a little over an inch, this is the nicest ray tooth that I have ever collected,
an unusual color for Monmouth County.
 

 

Sting ray barb fragment.
Monmouth County, NJ

 

 

The vertebrae of the rays have an oval shape. These can range in
 size from 1/4 inch to well over an inch.
 

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