Sawfish, also known as carpenter sharks, are a family of rays characterized by a long, narrow, flattened rostrum, or nose extension, lined with sharp transverse teeth, arranged in a way that resembles a saw. They are among the largest fish, with some species reaching lengths of about 7–7.6 m (23–25 ft). They are found worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions in coastal marine and brackish estuarine waters, as well as freshwater rivers and lakes. All species are endangered.
Image: Pristis pristis Georgia Aquarium Jan 2006
Image: Sawfish Pristis zijsron Genova Aquarium
Extinct sawfish are often only known from their rostral teeth, here from the Eocene species Pristis lathami.
The whitish underside of a largetooth sawfish showing its nostrils (near the base of the saw), mouth, and two rows of gill slits (at the base of either pectoral fin)
Batoidea is a superorder of cartilaginous fishes, commonly known as rays. They and their close relatives, the sharks, comprise the subclass Elasmobranchii. Rays are the largest group of cartilaginous fishes, with well over 600 species in 26 families. Rays are distinguished by their flattened bodies, enlarged pectoral fins that are fused to the head, and gill slits that are placed on their ventral surfaces.
Batoidea
Spotted eagle ray, Aetobatus narinari
Early Eocene fossil stingray Heliobatis radians
Image: Myliobatis aquila sasrája