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]]