description Prickly skate Overview
The name prickly skate is used for more than one cartilaginous fish, so it does not identify a single species in all references. In North Atlantic usage it can refer to the smooth skate, Malacoraja senta, a marine skate of continental-shelf waters that is also called the smooth-tailed skate. Other databases apply the English name to species such as the Pacific starry skate and the pygmy skate Fenestraja mamillidens.
help Prickly skate FAQ
Is prickly skate the name of one exact species?
Not always. In different references, prickly skate can refer to more than one cartilaginous fish, and North Atlantic usage may identify the smooth skate, Malacoraja senta.
What is the scientific name of the North Atlantic fish sometimes called prickly skate?
A North Atlantic usage of the name refers to Malacoraja senta, commonly called the smooth skate. Common names vary by region, so the scientific name is the safer way to identify the animal.
Where does the fish called prickly skate live?
The North Atlantic fish associated with the name is a marine skate of continental-shelf waters. Its range and depth should be checked against the particular regional field guide being used.
Is a skate a shark or a ray?
Skates are cartilaginous fish related to rays and sharks, but they are generally recognized by their flattened bodies, broad pectoral fins, and tail structure. The name prickly skate therefore refers to a skate, not a bony fish.
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