Genus: Breviraja, Lightnose Skates, Short Skate, Short Skates

BREVIRAJA

SHORT SKATES, LIGHTNOSE SKATES

Heart-shaped disc, slightly wider than long, with front margins undulating; snout flexible, short, blunt, supported to near its tip by a cartilage with a very slender tip; pectoral rays extending nearly to tip of snout; eyes on top of head, with spiracles immediately behind; nostrils a little in front of mouth, with front lobes from nostrils forming a curtain between them and mouth; 2 small dorsal fins near rear of tail, with tail fin as a fold behind the second dorsal; pelvic fin with 2 distinct lobes joined by membrane, rear lobe large, front lobe 65-85% length of rear lobe; upper surface of disc with denticles; thorns not conspicuously large, with smooth basal cones, present around eyes, on nape & shoulders, a central row (may be interrupted) always present from nape to dorsal fin; tail longer than disc, width of its base distinctly >eye; sex organs of males rod-shaped, tapering to a narrow tip.

A west Atlantic genus with 6 species, 5 endemics in the GC