Broad skate vs

Amblyraja badia compared with Chrysococcus granulatus

Key Differences

• Broad skate is Least Concern while is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Broad skate
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Chromista (Chromista)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Ochrophyta (Ochrophyta)
Class	Elasmobranchii	Chrysophyceae (Chrysophyceae)
Order	Rajiformes (Rajiformes)	Chromulinales (Chromulinales)
Family	Rajidae	Dinobryaceae
Genus	Amblyraja	Chrysococcus
Species	Amblyraja badia	Chrysococcus granulatus

Conservation Status

Broad skate

LC — Least Concern

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Broad skate
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Broad skate

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Norway and Sweden.

Broad skate

The Broad Skate (Amblyraja badia) is a species in the genus Amblyraja. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is recognized for its ecological significance within its native range.

Chrysococcus granulatus is a unicellular freshwater chrysophyte microalga in the genus Chrysococcus, class Chrysophyceae. The species epithet granulatus — granular or granulated — describes a textured surface on the lorica of this species, a feature visible under electron microscopy that contrasts with the smooth surfaces of some congeners. In the genus Chrysococcus, the lorica is a secreted outer covering enclosing the cell, and its surface texture, shape, and any projections or pores form the primary morphological characters distinguishing species from one another. C. granulatus has been documented from Norwegian and Swedish freshwater bodies, consistent with the strong Scandinavian research tradition in chrysophyte taxonomy. Scandinavian oligotrophic and mesotrophic lakes are important reservoirs of chrysophyte diversity, harboring numerous species of Chrysococcus, Chromulina, Ochromonas, and related genera. Records from Brazil and Denmark extend the known distribution of C. granulatus, suggesting cosmopolitan or at least widespread dispersal capability through passive transport mechanisms such as wind, waterfowl, and hydrological connectivity. The species is a golden-brown phytoplankton organism with chlorophylls a and c and fucoxanthin carotenoids, enabling photosynthesis in the limnetic zone. Like other Chrysococcus species, C. granulatus may supplement photosynthesis with phagotrophic uptake of bacteria. It has not been assessed under IUCN criteria and carries a conservation status of Not Evaluated. The species contributes to understanding freshwater chrysophyte taxonomy and biodiversity in Scandinavian aquatic ecosystems.