Character matrix for thirteen major families (including <i>Dasyatis microps</i>) of the Myliobatiformes (present study) based on nine character states.

<p>* Proposed new families</p><p><b>Character 1</b>: Body disc shape: 0 = wing like; pectoral fin greatly expanded, 1 = rhombus, quadrangular or oval; pectoral fin not greatly expanded. <b>Character 2</b>: Body denticles and thorns: 0 = no distinct denticles and thorns, 1 = no distinct denticles; thorn confined to midline of disc, 2 = granular or flat denticles band very broad; some may have thorns that either confine to center of body or midline, thorns can be blunt or sharp, 3 = with small spiny or star like denticles; no thorns along central disc or tail. <b>Character 3</b>: Head position and elevation: 0 = head extended anterior to pectoral fin; head elevated, 1 = head not extended anterior to pectoral fin; head not elevated. <b>Character 4</b>: Rostrum or cephalic fin: 0 = rostral fin single and convex, 1 = rostral fin bilobate and broadly notched medially 2 = Snout forming bilobate cephalic fin, laterally based on head, 3 = not as stated. <b>Character 5</b>: Gill opening: 0 = six gill opening, 1 = 5 gill opening. <b>Character 6</b>: Tail types: 0 = tail short and stout, not whip like, 1 = tail long, whip like. <b>Character 7</b>: Tail pattern: 0 = plain, 1 = banded or striped. <b>Character 8</b>: Ventral skin fold: 0 = no ventral skin fold, 1 = low ventral skin fold, with or without indistinct dorsal skin fold, 2 = large ventral skin fold, 3 = distinct dorsal and ventral skin fold. <b>Character 9</b>: Caudal fin: 0 = no caudal fin, 1 = with well developed caudal fin.</p><p>Character matrix for thirteen major families (including <i>Dasyatis microps</i>) of the Myliobatiformes (present study) based on nine character states.