The skillet skate (Dactylobatus armatus) is a small-bodied, deepwater skate in the family Rajidae.

Skillet skate
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Order: Rajiformes
Family: Rajidae
Genus: Dactylobatus
Species:
D. armatus
Binomial name
Dactylobatus armatus

Distribution and habitat

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The skillet skate is typically found at depths between 338 and 625 m (1,109 and 2,051 ft).[1][2] Found in the western central Atlantic, its range extends from South Carolina to southern Florida, the northern Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean coasts of Nicaragua and northern South America.[1]

Description

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The skillet skate is a small skate. Its total length is up to 32 cm.[1] Its body is narrow and features a spatula-shaped lobe from the margin of each pectoral muscle. On the underside of the frontal disc, the skate displays characteristic spines.[2]

Relationship to humans

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This species is assessed as least concern.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Crysler, Z.; Kyne, P.M.; Navia, A.F.; Mejía-Falla, P.A.; Lasso-Alcalá, O.; Herman, K. (2020). "Dactylobatus armatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T161556A124506056. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T161556A124506056.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Dactylobatus armatus, Skilletskate".