Devilfish ( Manta birostris )

Pronunciation key ( dev′ʼl-fish′ )

dev•il•fish [pl. DEVILFISH, DEVILFISHES (-iz); see FISH]

n.

1. The largest among the rays. Known as the Atlantic manta, or giant devil ray (Manta birostris). It's common name is due to the horn-like appearance when the pectoral fins are rolled up.
2. A large cephalopod, especially the octopus.

Taxonomic Hierarchy
approximate 20 ft. width
Kingdom	Animalia – Animal, animals
Phylum	Chordata – chordates
Subphylum	Vertebrata – vertebrates
Class	Chondrichthyes – cartilaginous fishes, rays, sharks
Subclass	Elasmobranchii – cartilaginous fishes, rays, sharks, skates, torpedoes
Superorder	Euselachii
Order	Myliobatiformes – stingrays
Family	Mobulidae Gill, 1893 – mantas, mantes, devil rays, mantas
Genus	Manta Bancroft, 1829 – mantas
Species	Manta birostris (Walbaum, 1792) – manta gigante, giant manta, Atlantic manta, manta, Pacific manta

References and Further Reading

Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955

Manta birostris, (Walbaum, 1792), Taxonomic Serial No.: 160992

Manta Ray