Biology:Winter skate
| Winter Skate | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Superorder: | Batoidea |
| Order: | Rajiformes |
| Family: | Rajidae |
| Genus: | Leucoraja |
| Species: | L. ocellata
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| Binomial name | |
| Leucoraja ocellata Mitchill, 1815
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The winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata) is a globally-endangered species of skate found in the surrounding waters of northeastern North America. They inhabit shallow shelf waters and are prone to bycatch during commercial fishing.[2]
Description
The winter skate can reach a maximum size of 109 cm. It reaches maturity around 12 years of age, depending on the sex and area.[3]
Distribution and habitat
This skate can be found in the northwest Atlantic Ocean,[3] ranging from North of the Gulf of St. Lawrence to South of Newfoundland and Labrador.[2] Winter skates prefer sand and gravel habitats.[3] They are primarily found in depths below 111 m and up to 371 m[2] and in temperatures ranging between -1.2 and -15 C.[3]
_Egg_Case_-_Gooseberry_Cove_Provincial_Park,_Newfoundland_2019-08-10.jpg)
The local populations of the winter skate are not all evenly distributed. They are facing extirpation in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, for example,[4] resulting in a lot fewer egg cases found on local beaches. Their range has declined 99% from the 1980s to 2015 in that sector[5]
References
- ↑ "Leucoraja ocellata (Winter Skate)". https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/161631/124518400.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 COSEWIC (2015). "COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Winter Skate (Leucoraja ocellata)". https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2016/eccc/CW69-14-717-2015-eng.pdf.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Government of Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2016-12-19). "Winter Skate (Leucoraja ocellata)". https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/profiles-profils/winterskate-raietachetee-eng.html.
- ↑ Kelly, J. T.; Hanson, J. M. (March 2013). "Maturity, size at age and predator-prey relationships of winter skate Leucoraja ocellata in the southern Gulf of St Lawrence: potentially an undescribed endemic facing extirpation: BIOLOGY OF SGSL LEUCORAJA OCELLATA" (in en). Journal of Fish Biology 82 (3): 959–978. doi:10.1111/jfb.12030. PMID 23464554. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jfb.12030.
- ↑ Government of Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada. "Information archivée dans le Web". https://publications.gc.ca/site/archivee-archived.html?url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2016/eccc/CW69-14-717-2015-eng.pdf.
Wikidata ☰ Q2658107 entry
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