Star Skate [Raja asterias]
Description
The star skate is a species of fish in the family Rajidae. It is found in the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean. It prefers a depth range from 10 to 100 m. The star skate has an oval, flattened body and is known for its distinctive star-shaped patterns on its upper body. Its diet consists mainly of small fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods. It is oviparous and has a slow rate of reproduction, making it vulnerable to overfishing.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Cartilaginous Fish
Chondrichthyes
|
| Order |
Skates
Rajiformes
|
| Family |
True Skates
Rajidae
|
| Genus |
Star Skate
Zearaja
|