ORDER-
RHINOPRISTIFORMES
Rhinopristiformes is an order of rays, cartilaginous fishes related to sharks, containing shovelnose rays and allied groups. Rhinopristiformes are generally slow to grow, they mature late and have low fecundity, causing them to be susceptible to extinction. They are prone to being caught by many types of commercial fishing equipment. They are caught for their meat but most importantly their fins. While the meat is mostly consumed locally the white fins are a delicacy and highly sought after. They are the most valuable part of Rhinopristiformes; therefore, their fins are in high demand. Both the combination of overfishing and the high desire for their fins the Rhinopristiformes population is depleting rapidly.
Living Families:
Dwarf Sawfish or Queensland Sawfish– Pristis clavata
Longcomb Sawfish or Green Sawfish or Narrowsnout Sawfish– Pristis zijsron
Largetooth Sawfish– Pristis pristis
Knifetooth Sawfish or Narrow Sawfish or Pointed Sawfish– Anoxypristis cuspidata
Smalltooth Sawfish– Pristis pectinata
Guitarfish: Rhinobatidae
Giant Guitarfish: Glaucostegidae
Wedgefish: Rhinidae
Banjo Rays: Trygonorrhinidae
Two additional families are associated with the order but their phylogenetic relationships have not been fully resolved:
Fanrays: Platyrhinidae
Panrays: Zanobatidae