Egg Case (Chondrichthyes) - Other Skate Species

Other Skate Species

The Longnose skate, Raja rhina, is considered a larger skate species; reaching a maximum size range of 145 cm TL. Although their egg cases are smaller than that of the big skate, their cases are considered large too; ranging 93–102 mm in length.

• Egg cases contain a single embryo.
• Longnose skate egg case's smallest to largest size in length varies by only 9 mm; this is common for most skate species which have a 1–16 mm spread in egg case length.
• Longnose skate egg cases found in the field are brown in color. The external side is covered with a fibrous material, which is thicker on the top side and thinner on the bottom side of the case. The case is smooth underneath the fibrous material.

The Roughtail skate, Bathyraja trachura, is a medium size skate, with a maximum size of 91 cm TL.

• Egg cases contain a single embryo.
• Roughtail skate egg cases are of medium size, previously recorded as having a maximum size up to 78 mm in length.
• This egg case, shown on the measuring strip depicting centimeter measurements, exceeds the maximum recorded size and measures 85 mm in length. This egg case was found in the field; caught in commercial fishing gear.
• The Roughtail skate egg case's smallest to largest size in length varies by 16 mm in length.
• The egg cases are smooth and lack external fibrous material. The keels are very wide, and a great characteristic for identifying it to this species.