Common skate
Encyclopedia
The common skate or blue skate (Dipturus batis) is the largest skate
in the world. Historically, it was one of the most abundant skates in the Northeast Atlantic
and Mediterranean Sea
. Despite its name, today it appears to be absent from much of this range
. Where previously abundant, fisheries directly targeted this skate, elsewhere it is caught incidentally as by-catch
. Previously assessed as Endangered
globally and Critically Endangered in shelf and enclosed seas in the 2000 IUCN Red List
, it has been uplisted to Critically Endangered globally in 2006 .
In 2009, research showed that what was formerly listed as a single species, D. batis, should be instead classified as two separate species, D. flossada and the flapper skate, D. intermedia.
and rhombic shape, with a row of spines or thorns along the tail. The top surface is generally colored olive-grey to brown, often with a pattern of spots, the underside is lighter blue-grey.
Skate
Skates are cartilaginous fish belonging to the family Rajidae in the superorder Batoidea of rays. There are more than 200 described species in 27 genera. There are two subfamilies, Rajinae and Arhynchobatinae ....
in the world. Historically, it was one of the most abundant skates in the Northeast Atlantic
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
and Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
. Despite its name, today it appears to be absent from much of this range
Range (biology)
In biology, the range or distribution of a species is the geographical area within which that species can be found. Within that range, dispersion is variation in local density.The term is often qualified:...
. Where previously abundant, fisheries directly targeted this skate, elsewhere it is caught incidentally as by-catch
By-catch
The term “bycatch” is usually used for fish caught unintentionally in a fishery while intending to catch other fish. It may however also indicate untargeted catch in other forms of animal harvesting or collecting...
. Previously assessed as Endangered
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
globally and Critically Endangered in shelf and enclosed seas in the 2000 IUCN Red List
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
, it has been uplisted to Critically Endangered globally in 2006 .
In 2009, research showed that what was formerly listed as a single species, D. batis, should be instead classified as two separate species, D. flossada and the flapper skate, D. intermedia.
Description
The common skate can grow to 285 cm long and weigh 220 lb (100 kg), making it the largest skate in the world. Overall shape features a pointed snoutSnout
The snout, or muzzle, is the protruding portion of an animal's face, consisting of its nose, mouth, and jaw.-Terminology:The term "muzzle", used as a noun, can be ambiguous...
and rhombic shape, with a row of spines or thorns along the tail. The top surface is generally colored olive-grey to brown, often with a pattern of spots, the underside is lighter blue-grey.