Thornback ray
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| Thornback ray | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Conservation status | |
 Near Threatened (IUCN 2.3) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Order: | Rajiformes |
| Family: | Rajidae |
| Genus: | Raja |
| Species: | R. clavata |
| Binomial name | |
| Raja clavata Linnaeus, 1758 | |
The thornback ray (Raja clavata) or thornback skate is a species of fish in the Rajidae family. It is found in coastal waters of Europe and the Atlantic coast of Africa, possibly as far south as Namibia and even South Africa. Its natural habitats are open seas and shallow seas. It is sometimes seen trapped in large estuarine pools at low tide. Etymology: Raja: Latin, raja, -ae = a sting ray .