Butterfly ray vs Ornate Cuscus

Gymnura altavela compared with Phalanger ornatus

Key Differences

• Butterfly ray is Endangered while Ornate Cuscus is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Butterfly ray	Ornate Cuscus
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Elasmobranchii	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Myliobatiformes (Myliobatiformes)	Diprotodontia (Marsupials)
Family	Gymnuridae	Phalangeridae
Genus	Gymnura	Phalanger
Species	Gymnura altavela	Phalanger ornatus

Evolutionary Relationship

Butterfly ray and Ornate Cuscus share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Butterfly ray

EN — Endangered

Ornate Cuscus

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Butterfly ray	Ornate Cuscus
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. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Ornate Cuscus

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Butterfly ray

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