Bathyraja brachyurops

The broadnose skate (Bathyraja brachyurops; NCBI Taxonomy ID: 458556), is a benthic species in the Arhynchobatidae family and the order Rajiformes. Found in the Southeast Pacific and Southwest Atlantic at depths of 100-1200 meters, it is well adapted to deep-sea environments. Characterised by a rhomboid-shaped disc and a short, robust tail, reflected in its species epithet brachyurops ("short tail"), B. brachyurops is further distinguished by its dorsal surface, typically covered with small thorns and grey-brown to dark colouration, providing effective camouflage. As a deep-sea benthic predator, it preys primarily on crustaceans, small fish, and molluscs, playing a vital role in regulating benthic communities and prey populations. Through its foraging and movement, the species also influences nutrient cycling and contributes to benthic habitat heterogeneity, shaping the dynamics of benthic-pelagic coupling.