Skate
345356
222582353
2008-06-30T02:57:43Z
Dysmorodrepanis
303688
{{otheruses1|the fish}}
{{Taxobox
| name = Skates
| image = barndoor.jpg
| image_width = 220px
| image_caption = [[Barndoor Skate]], ''Dipturus laevis''
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Chondrichthyes]]
| subclassis = [[Elasmobranchii]]
| superordo = [[Batoidea]]
| ordo = [[Rajiformes]]
| familia = '''Rajidae'''
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision =
}}
[[Image:Amblyraja badia.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Broad skate, ''Amblyraja badia'']]
[[Image:DSCF0348.JPG|thumb|220px|A skate egg case, known as a [[mermaid's purse]].]]
[[Image:skatewings.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Skate wings.]]
'''Skates''' are [[Chondrichthyes|cartilaginous fish]] belonging to the family '''Rajidae''' in the superorder [[Batoidea]] of rays. They are carnivorous, feeding mostly on smaller fish and [[crustacean]]s. They have flat [[pectoral fin]]s continuous with their head, two [[dorsal fin]]s and a short, spineless [[tail]]. There are more than 200 described species in 25 genera.
Skates are bottom-dwelling and are found throughout the world from [[continental shelf|continental shelves]] down to the [[abyssal zone]]. They are [[oviparous]] fishes, laying eggs in a case known as a [[mermaid's purse]]. It is thought that egg-laying in skates is an evolutionary reversal, that is, skates are descended from [[Ovoviviparity|ovoviviparous]] ancestors.<ref>{{FishBase family | family = Rajidae | month = August | year = 2005}}</ref>
The [[common skate]], ''Dipturus batis'', is the largest found in British waters. It has a long, pointed snout. However, the most common skate in British seas is the [[thornback ray]], ''Raja clavata''. They are frequently caught by [[trawling]]. Common skate and white skate are assessed as Critically Endangered by IUCN (World Conservation Union) and the fish is listed by the Marine Conservation Society as a "fish to avoid".<ref>[http://www.fishonline.org/advice/avoid/?item=35 "Fish to Avoid: Skate"] from the Marine Conservation Society, retrieved [[November 11]], [[2006]]</ref>
The [[big skate]], ''Raja binoculata'', and [[longnose skate]], ''Raja rhina'', are among the most common found in the [[Pacific Ocean]], ranging from southern [[Alaska]] to northern [[Mexico]]. The big skate , also known as the Pacific great skate, reaches a width of 2.4m (8 ft.) across.
==Genera==
* ''[[Amblyraja]]''
* ''[[Arhynchobatis]]''
* ''[[Atlantoraja]]''
* ''[[Bathyraja]]''
* ''[[Breviraja]]''
* ''[[Cruriraja]]''
* ''[[Dactylobatus]]''
* ''[[Dipturus]]''
* ''[[Fenestraja]]''
* ''[[Gilotea]]''
* ''[[Gurgesiella]]''
* ''[[Irolita]]''
* ''[[Leucoraja]]''
* ''[[Malacoraja]]''
* ''[[Neoraja]]''
* ''[[Notoraja]]''
* ''[[Okamejei]]''
* ''[[Pavoraja]]''
* ''[[Psammobatis]]''
* ''[[Pseudoraja]]''
* ''[[Raja (genus)|Raja]]''
* ''[[Rajella]]''
* ''[[Rhinoraja]]''
* ''[[Rioraja]]''
* ''[[Rostroraja]]''
* ''[[Sympterygia]]''
* ''[[Zearaja]]''<!-- Zootaxa 1494: 45–65 -->
==Endangerment==
Skates have slow growth rates and, since they mature late, low reproductive rates. As a result skates are vulnerable to [[overfishing]] and it appears that skates have been overfished and are suffering reduced population levels in many parts of the world. The [[barndoor skate]], ''Raja laevis'', is currently listed with the [[IUCN]] as vulnerable due to being severely overfished.<ref>http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/gallery/descript/bigskate/bigskate.html Florida Museum of Natural History</ref> However, population data is lacking to determine the exploitation of the big skate at this time.
== See also ==
* [[Anacanthobatidae]], the family of [[smooth skate]]s.
* [[Jenny Haniver]], a fake sea monster created from a skate corpse
==References==
<references />
==External links==
* ARKive - [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/fish/Dipturus_batis/ images and movies of the common skate ''(Dipturus batis)'']
*Kliman, Todd. "[http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/bestbites/302.html Skate Goes From Trash Fish to Treasure]", ''Washingtonian'', [[May 1]] [[2006]].
{{wiktionarypar|skate}}
{{cookbook}}
[[Category:Rajidae| ]]
[[Category:Rajiformes]]
[[bs:Prave raže]]
[[de:Echte Rochen]]
[[fr:Rajidae]]
[[ko:홍어과]]
[[lt:Rombinės rajos]]
[[hu:Valódirája-félék]]
[[pl:Rajowate]]
[[ru:Ромбовые]]
[[simple:Skate]]
[[sr:Праве раже]]
[[uk:Скати]]
[[zh:鳐科]]