Order RAJIFORMES
Softnose Skates
Compiler and date details
18 October 2011 - Douglass F. Hoese
Introduction
Some workers recognise a single Order Rajiformes for the skates and rays (Batoidei). We follow Nelson (2006) in recognising the main groups as separate orders, but also follow Compagno & Last (1999), Serena (2005) and Ebert & Compagno (2007) in also recognising the Rhinobatifomres as separate from the Rajiformes. The family classification within the order follow Last & Stevens (2009). Three families are known from Ausralia and all are morphologically very similar differing mainly in internal anatomy and pelvic fin structure.
Compagno (1973), Nishida (1990) and McEachran & Dunn (1998) discussed relationships.
The group occurs worldwide in marine and estuarine environements to marine environments to depths of over 3000 m. Some species occur in freshwater.
General References
Compagno, L.J.V. 1973. Interrelationships of living elasmobranchs. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology 53(suppl. 1): 15-61 pls 1-2
Ebert, D.A. & Compagno, L.J.V. 2007. Biodiversity and systematics of skates (Chondrichthyes: Rajiformes: Rajoidei). Environmental Biology of Fishes 80(2-3): 111-124
Last, P.R. 1994. Families Torpedinidae, Rajiidae, Rhinobatidae. pp. 154-172 figs 132-149 in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H (eds). The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs
Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Canberra : CSIRO Australia 513 pp. 84 pls
Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 2009. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Collingwood : CSIRO Publishing Australia 2, 550 pp.
McEachran, J.D. & Dunn, K.A. 1998. Phylogenetic analysis of skates, a morphologically conservative clade of elasmobranchs (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae). Copeia 1998(2): 271-290
Nelson, J.S. 1984. Fishes of the World. New York : John Wiley & Sons 523 pp. figs
Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp.
Nishida, K. 1990. Phylogeny of the suborder Myliobatidoidei. Memoirs of the Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University 37(1-2): 1-108
Serena, F. 2005. Field Identification Guide to the Sharks and Rays of the Mediterranean and Black Sea. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. Rome : Food and Argiculture Organization of the United Nations 97 pp.