Longnose deepsea skate

© A field guide to common species caught by bottom and midwater fishing: New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 68 ISSN 1176-9440 2011

The longnose deepsea skate, Bathyraja shuntovi, is a thin-bodied, pale brown/grey coloured skate. They sometimes have darker spots, and are creamy coloured underneath. Juveniles are a bit different, with a dark blue color dorsally and black and white pattern beneath.

They lack dorsal thorns, but have a single row along the midline of their tail. Mature males have a large, elongated patch of alar thorns. They have an extremely long and flexible snout, which distinguishes them from others of the genus in New Zealand waters. The IUCN has assessed them as Data Deficient (DD).

ever heard of this lesser known skate?

glossary

• Alar thorns: Paired patches of thorns on the outer disc of most mature male skates.
• Dorsal fin: Fin located on the back.
• Dorsal side: The top of an animal.
• Genus: A group of organisms ranking above a species and below a family.
  
• IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature.

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