Torpedo (genus)
Genus of cartilaginous fishes / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Torpedo is a genus of rays, commonly known as electric rays, torpedo rays, or torpedoes. They are slow-moving bottom-dwellers capable of generating electricity as a defense and feeding mechanism.
| Torpedo Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Torpedo torpedo | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Order: | Torpediniformes |
| Family: | Torpedinidae |
| Genus: | Torpedo Houttuyn, 1764 |
| Type species | |
| Torpedo torpedo | |
The naval weapon known as the torpedo was named after this genus, whose own name is derived from the Latin word torpidus meaning 'numb' or 'paralysed',[2] presumably the sensation one would feel after experiencing the ray's electric shock.