Butterfly ray vs small tortoiseshell

Gymnura altavela compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Butterfly ray is Endangered while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Butterfly ray	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Elasmobranchii	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Myliobatiformes (Myliobatiformes)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Gymnuridae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Gymnura	Aglais
Species	Gymnura altavela	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

Butterfly ray and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Butterfly ray

EN — Endangered

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Butterfly ray	small tortoiseshell
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.

small tortoiseshell

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (41 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

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.

small tortoiseshell

small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.