Catalog of Fishes
literature references
FishBase
Bold Systems
IUCN Red List
GBIF
NCBI GenBank
Malacoraja senta
(Garman, 1885)
Smooth skate
Classification: Elasmobranchii Rajiformes Rajidae
Reference of the original description
Notes and descriptions taken from selachians in the U. S. National Museum. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 8(482), 39–44
Notes and descriptions taken from selachians in the U. S. National Museum. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 8(482), 39–44
Image of the original description
No image in first description.
No image in first description.
Synonyms / new combinations and misspellings
Malacoraja cf. senta, Raia senta, Raja senta
Malacoraja cf. senta, Raia senta, Raja senta
Description :
Citation: Malacoraja senta (Garman, 1885): In: Database of modern sharks, rays and chimaeras, www.shark-references.com, World Wide Web electronic publication, Version 10/2025
Please send your images of "Malacoraja senta" to info@shark-references.com
Malacoraja senta (Garman, 1885) © Camilla Parzanini, Department of Ocean SciencesMemorial UniversitySt. John’sCanada
Malacoraja senta (Garman, 1885) © Camilla Parzanini, Department of Ocean SciencesMemorial UniversitySt. John’sCanada
Common names
Raie lisse, Raie lisse américaine, Raie lissée, Raie à queue de velours, 
Prickly skate, Smooth skate, Smooth-tailed skate
Raie lisse, Raie lisse américaine, Raie lissée, Raie à queue de velours, Prickly skate, Smooth skate, Smooth-tailed skate
Short Description
Spines are larger toward front and disappear with age on rear parts of tail. Few scapular spines. Group of spines in front of and around each eye. Adults have 1 middorsal row of many small spines, 1 row of small spines on each side, middorsal row of spines extend forward on disk to area behind eyes. Young have 2 pale crossbars on tail, each outlined by a dark blotch or band. Snout pointed [17658]. Upper surface pale brown with numerous obscure darker spots, irregular pale markings. Lower surface plain white with few small dusky spots [199].
Spines are larger toward front and disappear with age on rear parts of tail. Few scapular spines. Group of spines in front of and around each eye. Adults have 1 middorsal row of many small spines, 1 row of small spines on each side, middorsal row of spines extend forward on disk to area behind eyes. Young have 2 pale crossbars on tail, each outlined by a dark blotch or band. Snout pointed [17658]. Upper surface pale brown with numerous obscure darker spots, irregular pale markings. Lower surface plain white with few small dusky spots [199].
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Banks off Newfoundland and southern Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada to New Jersey, USA. Caught frequently in the river part of St. Lawrence estuary and nearby points in Quebec, Canada (Ref. 4926). Source: www.gbif.org
Western Atlantic: Banks off Newfoundland and southern Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada to New Jersey, USA. Caught frequently in the river part of St. Lawrence estuary and nearby points in Quebec, Canada (Ref. 4926). Source: www.gbif.org
Human uses
fisheries: of no interest
fisheries: of no interest
Biology
Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk [733]. Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother [17086]. Inhabits soft mud and clay bottoms of the deeper troughs and basins, sands, sands and shells, gravel and pebbles of the offshore fishing banks [199]. Salinity ranges from 32.6 to 35.4 [199]. This species is confined to deep water. No occurrence has been found in less than 8 m of water [199]. Feeds on decapod crustaceans and euphausiids, with mysids being more important. Parasites of the species include blood parasite, Haemogregarina delagei (protozoan) and Zyxibothrium kamienae (cestode) (Ref. 5951).
Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk [733]. Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother [17086]. Inhabits soft mud and clay bottoms of the deeper troughs and basins, sands, sands and shells, gravel and pebbles of the offshore fishing banks [199]. Salinity ranges from 32.6 to 35.4 [199]. This species is confined to deep water. No occurrence has been found in less than 8 m of water [199]. Feeds on decapod crustaceans and euphausiids, with mysids being more important. Parasites of the species include blood parasite, Haemogregarina delagei (protozoan) and Zyxibothrium kamienae (cestode) (Ref. 5951).
Remarks
shark-references Species-ID=3583;
shark-references Species-ID=3583;
Parasites (arranged by Jürgen Pollerspöck)
Cestoda
Nematoda
- Lafystius morhuanus Bousfield, 1987 [16606]
Cestoda
- Pseudanthobothrium hanseni Baer, 1956 [16148] [7413] [7574] [17504]
- Zyxibothrium kamienae Hayden & Campbell, 1981 [16194] [7574] [17504] [32167]
Nematoda
- Pseudanisakis sp. [17504]
Image gallery
