Torpedo (genus)
Genus of cartilaginous fishes / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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This article is about the fish. It is not to be confused with Sting Ray (torpedo).
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.
Quick Facts Scientific classification, Type species ...
Torpedo | |
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Torpedo torpedo | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Chondrichthyes |
Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
Superorder: | Batoidea |
Order: | Torpediniformes |
Family: | Torpedinidae |
Genus: | Torpedo Houttuyn, 1764 |
Type species | |
Torpedo torpedo |
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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.