what is skates
Skate, in zoology, any of numerous flat-bodied, cartilaginous fishes constituting the suborder Rajoidea of the order Batoidei (skates, rays, and others). Skates are found in most parts of the world, from tropical to near-Arctic waters and from the shallows to depths of more than 2,700 metres (8,900 feet). Nine genera of skates are placed in three families: Rajidae, Arynchobatidae, and Anacanthobatidae. Skates are rounded to diamond-shaped in form. They have large pectoral fins extending from or nearly from the snout to the base of the slender tail, and some have sharp ânosesâ produced by a cranial projection, the rostral cartilage.