Raja straeleni is a species of skate belonging to the family Rajidae. It is a relatively large skate, reaching a maximum size of 70.0 cm. It is known to inhabit depths ranging from 80.0 to 800.0 meters, making it a common inhabitant of the bathyal zone.
Description & Characteristics
Raja straeleni is a skate with distinctive physical characteristics. Its body is flattened and disc-shaped, with a wide, triangular pectoral fin that extends around the head. The species has a long, whip-like tail with a dorsal fin.
Habitat and Occurrence
Raja straeleni is primarily found in the bathyal zone, which is the part of the ocean between 200 and 3000 meters deep. It prefers depths between 80.0 and 800.0 meters, inhabiting a variety of substrates, including sand, mud, and rock. While its precise distribution is still being studied, Raja straeleni is known to be a common species in the bathyal zone.
Taxonomy
Raja straeleni belongs to the Class: Elasmobranchii, Order: Rajiformes, and Family: Rajidae. Elasmobranchii includes all sharks, rays, and skates. Rajiformes is the order that contains all skates and rays, and Rajidae is the family to which most skates belong.
Feeding
Like many other skates, Raja straeleni is a carnivore that feeds primarily on bottom-dwelling invertebrates, such as crustaceans and mollusks. It uses its flattened body and pectoral fins to maneuver across the seabed and locate prey.
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