Malacoraja senta [Soft Skate]
Description
The Soft Skate, also known as Malacoraja senta, is a species of skate in the family Rajidae. It is found in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, from Newfoundland to North Carolina. It inhabits depths from 18 to 750 m, but is most often found between 90 and 450 m. This species has a relatively small, thick, and soft body, with a short snout and large spiracles. It is generally light brown in color, with darker brown blotches and a white underside.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Cartilaginous Fish
Chondrichthyes
|
| Order |
Skates
Rajiformes
|
| Family |
True Skates
Rajidae
|
| Genus |
Soft Skate
Bathyraja
|