| Family: |
Rajidae (Skates) |
| Max. size: |
112 cm TL (male/unsexed); 100 cm TL (female) |
| Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 92 - 2925 m |
| Distribution: |
Arctic, Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans: in cold and deep waters. |
| Diagnosis: |
Grey-brown with large dark blotches (Ref. 26346). Tail very short (Ref. 26346). Mid-dorsal row of stout thorns which extend from nuchal region to first dorsal fin. Thorns close posterior to the pelvic girdle larger than along the tail (Ref. 6902). Upper surface dark mouse gray, dark blue gray or dark brown with small rounded spots. Lower surface white and sooty in variable patterns (Ref. 6902). |
| Biology: |
Found on the lower continental slope (Ref. 6871), probably most common on deep slopes and at abyssal depths (Ref. 114953). Benthic (Ref. 58426); meso- to bathybenthic, on muddy substrate (Ref. 119696). Adults feed on all kinds of bottom animals (Ref. 3167). Prefer polar temperatures from hatching to maturity and eggs are incubated successfully and regularly in water as cold as 0°C (Ref. 6902). Oviparous. Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother (Ref. 205). Eggs are oblong capsules with stiff pointed horns at the corners deposited in sandy or muddy flats (Ref. 205). Egg capsule measures 81-125 mm long and 50-80 mm wide (Ref. 41251). Hatching size at 16-18 cm TL (Ref. 114953) (15 cm long in Ref. 119696). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 August 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
