Genus: Rostroraja, Skates, Hardnose Skate
snout broadly angular, tip firm, often extended
nape: no thorn triangle
center back: 1 row small thorns
pores under disc not dark
ROSTRORAJA
SKATES
Disc usually rhomboidal (occasionally heart-shaped); snout broadly angular, its tip often extended, firm, with a stout cartilage; pectoral fin rays separate from 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; pelvic fin with 2 distinct lobes connected by membrane, rear one large; 2 small dorsal fins at rear of tail; tail fin as a fold behind the second dorsal; top of disc often largely free of denticles, denticles on rear borders of ventral side; 1 row of small to moderate sized thorns without star-shaped bases on center of disc in TEP species, 1 or more rows along tail; no triangular patch of thorns on nape & shoulders; thorns present around eyes; pectoral usually with 1 pair of prominent ocelli; mucous pores on underside of disc not darkly pigmented.
Atlantic and E Pacific; 7 species, 5 in our area
