[1][2][3][4] Rhinopristiformes contains the following families:[5] Two additional families are associated with the order but their phylogenetic relationships have not been fully resolved: The following fossil genera are also possibly rhinopristiforms, but phylogenetic relationships are uncertain:[7] The spathobatids, an extinct group of rays from the Late Jurassic of Germany, convergently evolved to closely resemble guitarfishes, but are not thought to be related to rhinopristiforms.

[9] Species in the order Rhinopristiformes generally exhibit slow growth, late maturity, and low fecundity.

[10] Rhinopristiformes are more prone to being caught in many different types of fishing equipment, including trawl, gillnet, seine net, and hook-and-line.

While the meat is mostly consumed locally the white fins are a delicacy and highly sought after.

Both the combination of overfishing and the high desire for their fins has caused the Rhinopristiformes population to rapidly decline.