Arctic skate vs Butterfly ray

Amblyraja hyperborea compared with Gymnura micrura

Key Differences

• Arctic skate is Least Concern while Butterfly ray is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Arctic skate	Butterfly ray
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Elasmobranchii	Elasmobranchii
Order	Rajiformes (Rajiformes)	Myliobatiformes (Myliobatiformes)
Family	Rajidae	Gymnuridae
Genus	Amblyraja	Gymnura
Species	Amblyraja hyperborea	Gymnura micrura

Evolutionary Relationship

Arctic skate and Butterfly ray share a common ancestor at the Class level: Elasmobranchii.

Conservation Status

Arctic skate

LC — Least Concern

Butterfly ray

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Arctic skate	Butterfly ray
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Arctic skate

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found in Norway.

Butterfly ray

Habitat

Native to South America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found in Venezuela. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Arctic skate

The Arctic skate (Amblyraja hyperborea) is a species in the genus Amblyraja. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Butterfly ray

The Butterfly ray (Gymnura micrura) is a species in the genus Gymnura. It is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Native to South America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.