Sawfish, Skates, and Rays 253 



reddish spot on the throat, on the belly, and near the tail. 



Distribution: Found from southern New England to 



Jamaica. Sometimes common off the coasts of Maryland 



and Virginia. 



Size: Maximum length reported, about 5 feet. A 4-foot 



specimen weighed 60 pounds. 



General Information: Most frequently found in only a 



few feet of water, but it has been taken in depths down 



to 4,200 feet. Feeds on crabs, shellfish, and fish. Probably 



matures when 3-3 Vi feet long. 



Economic Importance: None. 



SAWFISH, SKATES, AND RAYS 



Characters: The sawfish, skates, and rays are fish-like 

 vertebrates with well-developed jaws and bony teeth. The 

 skeleton consists of cartilage. The skin is covered with 

 small, tooth-like, enamel projections. There are 5 pairs of 

 gill slits, all located on the lower surface of the body. The 

 front edges of the pectoral fins are united with the head. 

 General Information: Most of the forms in this group have 

 a flattened, disc-like body. The Sawfish, however, is more 

 shark-like in body form. The various species are widely 

 distributed from the subpolar to tropical zones. In the 

 cooler waters of the temperate and subpolar zones. Skates 

 are most numerous both in number of species and in indi- 

 viduals. In the warm waters of the tropical and subtropical 

 zones the Sawfish and Rays predominate. 



Like the sharks, the males of^ this group of fish-like 

 vertebrates possess a pair of copulatory organs (claspers), 

 elongated appendages situated along the inner margins of 

 the pelvic fins. Fertilization is internal. Members of the 

 Skate family lay eggs enclosed in a horny capsule (p. 254, 

 fig. 1). In all of the other families the young are born 

 alive. 



In general the members of this group are sluggish ani- 

 mals living on or near the bottom and frequently burying 



