| Platyrhinidae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Fanray (Platyrhina sinensis) | |
 | |
| Thornback guitarfish (Platyrhinoidis triseriata) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Order: | Torpediniformes |
| Family: | Platyrhinidae D. S. Jordan, 1923 |
ThePlatyrhinidae are afamily ofrays, commonly known asthornbacks due to their dorsal rows of large thorns. They resembleguitarfishes in shape. Though traditionally classified withstingrays, molecular evidence suggests they are more closely related to electric rays in the orderTorpediniformes.[1]
The earliest fossil member of this family isTingitanius from theLate Cretaceous (Turonian) of theAkrabou Formation in Morocco, known from a three-dimensionally preserved juvenile specimen.Tingitanius is thought to be thesister genus toPlatyrhinoidis.Stem-members of this family also known from fossil remains areBritobatos from theSantonian ofSahel Alma,Lebanon,Tethybatis from theCampanian/Maastrichtian ofNardo, Italy, andEoplatyrhina from theYpresian ofMonte Bolca, Italy.[2][3]
The following fossil species are known:[2][3]
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