[2] Alternatively, the name "skate" is used to refer to the entire order of Rajiformes (families Anacanthobatidae, Arhynchobatidae, Gurgesiellidae and Rajidae).

A clade within this diverse family, the Neoselachii, emerged by the Triassic, with the best-understood neoselachian fossils dating from the Jurassic.

[5] The body plan of skates is caused by skate-specific genomic rearrangements that have altered the three-dimensional regulatory landscape of genes.

[7] Thefollowing genera recognized in the family Rajidae:[8] Skates have more valid species than any other group of cartilaginous fishes.

[10] This structure creates power for forward propulsion, providing the emergence swimming capabilities that enabled skates to colonize the sea floor.

[6] A large portion of the skate's dorsal body is covered by rough skin made of placoid scales.

While skate anatomy is similar to other Batoidea, features such as their electric organ and mermaid's purse create clear distinctions.

Unlike many other electrogenic fishes, skates are unique in having paired electric organs which run longitudinally through the tail in the lateral musculature of the notochord.

[14] The impulses put out by the electric organs of the skate are considered to be weak, asynchronous, long-lasting signals.

[15] The most reasonable explanation in the literature suggests that the electric organ discharges may be used as a form of communication used for reproduction purposes.

In fact, skates are the only cartilaginous fish taxon to exhibit more diversity of species at higher latitudes.

Also, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection has caught and studied skates within the Long Island Sound estuary.

[17] Some skate fauna have been found inhabiting areas of rock cobble and high rocky relief.

This egg case is then deposited out of the mother's body onto the ocean floor where the skates develop for up to 15 months before they enter the external environment.

The majority of skates feed on bottom dwelling animals, such as shrimp, crab, oyster, clams, and other invertebrates.

The flattened body shape, ventral eyes and well developed spiracles of the skate allows them to live benthically, buried in the sediment or using a longitudinal undulation of the pectoral fins known as Rajiform locomotion to glide along the water floor.