Cownose ray comparative morphology and distribution data collected from 2006-10-19 to 2012-10-26 (NCEI Accession 0150632)

Morphometric and meristic data from two species of rays within the genus Rhinoptera were collected to facilitate accurate identifications of the two species. Data were compared, based on genetic verification of specimens, to determine if both species (i.e. R. bonasus and R. brasiliensis) are present in the northern Gulf of Mexico and off the east coast of the United States. Specimens were obtained from a number of sources, including NOAA surveys, fishing tournaments and museum collections.