Raja (fish)

{{Short description|Genus of cartilaginous fishes}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| fossil_range = {{Fossil range|70|0}} Maastrichtian to Present

| image = Raja clavata (BPNS).jpg

| image_caption = Raja clavata

| taxon = Raja

| authority = Linnaeus, 1758

| type_species = Raja miraletus

|type_species_authority = Linnaeus, 1758

| subdivision_ranks = Species

| subdivision = See text

}}

Raja, also known as Raia, is a genus of skates in the family Rajidae containing 16 species.{{cite book| author1=Last, P.R.| author1-link=Peter R. Last|author2=Weigman, S. |author3=Yang, L. | year=2016 | chapter=Changes to the nomenclature of the skates (Chondrichthyes: Rajiformes) | pages=11–34 |editor1=Last, P.R. |editor2=Yearsley, G.R. | title=Rays of the World: Supplementary Information | publisher=CSIRO Special Publication | isbn=9781486308019 }} Formerly a wastebasket genus, many species historically categorized here have been moved to other genera in the family, such as Amblyraja, Beringraja, Dipturus, Leucoraja and Rostroraja. Raja are flat-bodied, cartilaginous fish with a rhombic shapes due to their large pectoral fins extending from or near from the snouts to the bases of their tails. Their sharp snouts are produced by a cranial projection of rostral cartilage. The mouth and gills are located on the underside of the body. They may be either solid-coloured or patterned, and most skates have spiny or thornlike structures on the upper surface, while some species contain weak electrical organs within their tails. Mating typically occurs in the spring and the female lays numerous eggs per clutch which are encapsulated in leathery cases, commonly known as "mermaid’s purses". Species vary in size, ranging from about {{convert|40|to(-)|140|cm|ft|abbr=on|1}} in length.{{FishBase genus | genus = Raja| month = January | year = 2016}} These bottom-dwellers are active during both day and night, and typically feed on molluscs, crustaceans and fish. Raja skates are found in the East Atlantic, also in the Mediterranean, and western Indian Ocean, ranging from relatively shallow water to a depth of {{convert|800|m|ft|abbr=on}}. Skates and related species have fossil records dating from the Upper Cretaceous period, thus this well-adapted lineage is quite ancient.