| Barndoor skate | |
|---|---|
| |
| Barndoor skate, Dipturus laevis | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Order: | Rajiformes |
| Family: | Rajidae |
| Genus: | Dipturus |
| Species: | D. laevis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Dipturus laevis (Mitchill, 1818)
| |
The barndoor skate (Dipturus laevis) is a species of marine cartilaginous fish in the skate family Rajidae of the order Rajiformes. It is native to the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, and is found from the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and the southern side of the Gulf of St. Lawrence south to North Carolina.[2] The fish is one of the largest skates found in the North Atlantic Ocean, reaching lengths up to 1.5 m (5 ft). It is carnivorous, feeding on invertebrates and other fish found near the sea floor.
After peaking in the 1950s, the population of the barndoor skate dramatically declined in the 1960s and early 1970s as a result of overfishing. In 2003, it was listed as endangered by the World Conservation Union. However, barndoor skate populations have increased substantially since 1990 and even surpassed 1960s population size by 2012. In 2019, the barndoor skate was downlisted to least concern by the IUCN based on its largely increased population, new protections within its range, and also minor expansions to its range.[1] In most cases, the barndoor skate is not intentionally harvested by the commercial fishing industry—it is usually considered bycatch in the trawling nets used to target other species of fish.
- ^ a b Kulka, D.W.; Cotton, C.F.; Anderson, B.; Herman, K.; Pacoureau, N.; Dulvy, N.K. (2020). "Dipturus laevis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T39771A124413280. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T39771A124413280.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ Basta, J. (2002). "Dipturus laevis". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 28 December 2009.