Amblyraja badia
Amblyraja badia·Large·Oviparous·Not Evaluated
The broad skate (Amblyraja badia) is a poorly understood species of skate found in the deep Pacific Ocean, ranging from the Gulf of Panama to the Bering Sea and off Japan. Known for its broad, flat pectoral disc, prickly dorsal surface, and distinctive thorn arrangements, it inhabits depths between approximately 846 and 3,167 meters, making it one of the deepest-dwelling skates.
Key Facts
- ›Occurs at depths from 846 to over 3,100 meters, making it one of the deepest-living skates.
- ›Has a broad pectoral fin disc, a short, blunt snout, and a densely prickled dorsal surface.
- ›Distinguished by scapular thorns on the shoulders and a prominent row of median thorns along the back.
- ›Feeds on cephalopods, crustaceans, and small bony fishes like rattails.
- ›Males mature between 86-93 CM and can reach at least 95 CM, while females grow to at least 99 CM.
- ›Sporadically distributed in the Pacific Ocean, from the Gulf of Panama to the Bering Sea and off Japan.
Broad Skate
Gulf of Panama, British Columbia, Bering Sea, Tohoku Slope, Okhotsk Slope
- Pectoral Fin Disc Wider Than Long With Sharply Rounded Apices
- Short, Blunt Snout With Enlarged Thornlets At the Tip
- Smooth Underside
- Densely Prickled Dorsal Surface
- Two Or Three Pairs of Distinctive Scapular Thorns On Each Shoulder
- Row of 24-29 Median Thorns Along the Back
- Row of Smaller Lateral Thornlets On the Tail
- Relatively Short, Tapering Tail
- Two Similar-Sized Dorsal Fins On the Tail
- No Interdorsal Thorn
- Very Small Caudal Fin
- Coloration: Chocolate-Brown To Gray-Brown Above With Scattered Darker Spots, Same Below Except For Darker Pelvic Fin Lobes and Tail
- Whitish Areas On Snout, Upper Abdomen, Nostrils, Mouth, Gill Slits, and Anal Opening
Carnivore, Piscivore
- Inhabits Deep-Sea Environments.
- Occasionally Taken As Bycatch In Deepwater Trawls and Traps.
- One of the Deepest-Occurring Skates Known.
- Distinctive Arrangement of Scapular and Median Thorns.
- Broad Pectoral Fin Disc.
About Amblyraja badia
Broad Skate (Amblyraja badia)
The broad skate, scientifically known as Amblyraja badia, is a species of skate belonging to the family Rajidae. This cartilaginous fish is characterized by its wide pectoral fin disc, a short and blunt snout, and a dorsal surface densely covered with prickles. A notable feature is the presence of distinctive scapular thorns on its shoulders and a prominent row of median thorns along its back, which aid in its identification.
Habitat and Distribution
This species is found in the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean. Its distribution is sporadic, extending from the Gulf of Panama northward to British Columbia and the Bering Sea. It also occurs in areas off the coasts of northern Honshu and Hokkaido, Japan, specifically on the Tohoku and Okhotsk Slopes. The broad skate inhabits considerable depths, typically ranging from 846 to 2,324 meters, with observations extending as deep as 3,167 meters. This makes Amblyraja badia one of the deepest-dwelling skates known.
Diet and Reproduction
The broad skate is a carnivore, feeding on a variety of prey found in its deep-sea environment. Its diet includes cephalopods, crustaceans, and small bony fishes, with rattails being a specific example. Like other skate species, it is presumed to be oviparous, meaning it reproduces by laying eggs.
Size and Conservation
Adult broad skates can reach significant sizes. Males mature at lengths between 86 to 93 cm and grow to at least 95 cm, while females can reach at least 99 cm. The smallest free-swimming specimens recorded measured 23 cm. The broad skate is not of commercial interest and is occasionally caught as bycatch in deepwater fishing operations. Its conservation status has not yet been evaluated.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the broad skate live?
The broad skate is found in the Pacific Ocean, with a sporadic distribution. It ranges from the Gulf of Panama to British Columbia and the Bering Sea, and also occurs off the Tohoku and Okhotsk Slopes near Japan.
What are the distinguishing physical features of the broad skate?
The broad skate has a pectoral fin disc that is wider than it is long, with sharply rounded tips. Its dorsal surface is covered in prickles, and it possesses distinctive scapular thorns on its shoulders and a row of median thorns along its back. Its coloration is typically chocolate-brown to gray-brown with darker spots.
How deep do broad skates live?
Broad skates inhabit significant depths, typically ranging from 846 to 2,324 meters. They have been observed as deep as 3,167 meters, positioning them among the deepest-occurring skates known.
What does the broad skate eat?
The diet of the broad skate primarily consists of cephalopods, crustaceans, and small bony fishes. Rattails are specifically mentioned as a prey item.
What is the size of a broad skate?
Males mature at lengths between 86 to 93 cm and can grow to at least 95 cm. Females are known to grow to at least 99 cm. The smallest observed free-swimming specimens measured 23 cm.
Related Cartilaginous fish species
Amblyraja doellojuradoi
The southern thorny skate (Amblyraja doellojuradoi) is a species of fish belonging to the Rajidae family, inhabiting the southern Atlantic Ocean. It is primarily found off the coasts of Argentina, Uruguay, and the Falkland Islands, typically at depths between 51 and 642 meters. This skate is distinguished by its maximum size of 69 cm and its habit of laying oblong egg capsules with horn-like projections.
Amblyraja frerichsi
The thickbody skate (Amblyraja frerichsi) is a species of ray belonging to the family Rajidae. It is found in the open seas off the coasts of Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. The species is distinguished by its thick body and is named in honor of Thomas Frerichs, captain of the research vessel Walther Herwig.
Aculeola nigra
The hooktooth dogfish (Aculeola nigra) is a small, rarely encountered species of dogfish, notable as the sole member of its genus. This black shark inhabits the eastern South Pacific, found along the coast of South America from Peru to central Chile at considerable depths. It is distinguished by its blunt snout, large eyes, and small, grooved dorsal spines.