Butterfly ray vs Japanese butterfly ray

Gymnura micrura compared with Gymnura japonica

Key Differences

• Butterfly ray is Near Threatened while Japanese butterfly ray is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Butterfly ray	Japanese butterfly ray
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Elasmobranchii	Elasmobranchii
Order same	Myliobatiformes (Myliobatiformes)	Myliobatiformes (Myliobatiformes)
Family same	Gymnuridae	Gymnuridae
Genus same	Gymnura	Gymnura
Species	Gymnura micrura	Gymnura japonica

Evolutionary Relationship

Butterfly ray and Japanese butterfly ray share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Gymnura.

Conservation Status

Butterfly ray

NT — Near Threatened

Japanese butterfly ray

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Butterfly ray	Japanese butterfly ray
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Butterfly ray

Habitat

Native to South America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found in Venezuela. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Japanese butterfly ray

Habitat

Native to Asia, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found in Taiwan. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Butterfly ray

The Butterfly ray (Gymnura micrura) is a species in the genus Gymnura. It is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Native to South America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.