Smoothback Skate

It is a skate, which is a cartilaginous ray, not a bony fish or a shark. The Smoothback Skate is distinguished by the notably smooth texture of its dorsal surface compared with related skates.

It refers to the texture of the dorsal, or upper, surface. In this description, that smooth dorsal texture is the identifying trait, not a claim about the animal's size or speed.

Deep-sea identification guides use the common name for Rajella ravidula. Because common names can be reused, a reliable listing should show the scientific name before treating the identification as final.

An identification guide places Rajella ravidula in the East Atlantic, from Morocco to South Africa, on upper and middle continental slopes at roughly 495 to 1,475 metres. Confirm the scientific name in the source because common names can vary.