Big skate

This article is about the fish. For other uses, see skate (disambiguation).

Big skate
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Order: Rajiformes
Family: Rajidae
Genus: Beringraja
Species:
B. binoculata
Binomial name
Beringraja binoculata
(Girard, 1855)
Range of the big skate
Synonyms
  • Dipturus binoculata (Girard, 1858)
  • Raja binoculata Girard, 1858
  • Raja cooperi Girard, 1858

The big skate (Beringraja binoculata) is the largest species of skate (family Rajidae) in the waters off North America. They are found along the Pacific Coast from Alaska to Baja California, typically from the intertidal zone to a depth of 120 m (390 ft), and feed on benthic invertebrates and small fishes. They are unusual among skates in that their egg cases may contain up to seven eggs each. This species is one of the most commercially important skates off California and is sold for food.[2]

  1. ^ Farrugia, T.J.; Goldman, K.J.; King, J.R.; Ormseth, O.A. (2016). "Beringraja binoculata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T44183A80679344. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T44183A80679344.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference bester was invoked but never defined (see the help page).