Genus Gymnura is a taxonomic category that includes several species of marine rays. These creatures are also known by other names, including the butterfly ray, the fan-tailed ray, and the shovelnose ray. Gymnura species are characterized by their flat, diamond-shaped bodies and long, slender tails. Another synonym for the genus is the whip-tailed ray. The members of this genus are found in coastal waters and estuaries throughout the world, and they are important predators of small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. While Gymnura is the most common name for this group of rays, there are many other terms that are used interchangeably depending on the region.