Smooth skate (Malacoraja senta) fish species and information / pictures of Smooth skate - Malacoraja senta

Smooth skate (Malacoraja senta) fish species information

Scientific Name
Malacoraja senta

Common Name
Smooth skate

Biology
Spines are larger toward front and disappear with age on rear parts of tail. Few scapular spines. Group of spines in front of and around each eye. Adults have 1 middorsal row of many small spines, 1 row of small spines on each side, middorsal row of spines extend forward on disk to area behind eyes. Young have 2 pale crossbars on tail, each outlined by a dark blotch or band. Snout pointed (Ref. 7251). Upper surface pale brown with numerous obscure darker spots, irregular pale markings. Lower surface plain white with few small dusky spots (Ref. 6902).

Classification

Classified By

Garman, 1885

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Skates and Rays (Rajiformes)

Family

Skates (Rajidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: Banks off Newfoundland and southern Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada to New Jersey, USA. Caught frequently in the river part of St. Lawrence estuary and nearby points in Quebec, Canada (Ref. 4926).

Range

54°N - 40°N

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

46 m

Depth To - meters

914 m

Zone

bathydemersal

Environment

Marine; brackish; bathydemersal; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 46 - 914 m (Ref. 7251)

Trophic Level

3.5 s.e. 0.50 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

61.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5625 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (49 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Endangered (EN) (A2bcd)