Broad skate vs Cimar Round Ray

Amblyraja badia compared with Urotrygon cimar

Key Differences

• Broad skate is Least Concern while Cimar Round Ray is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Broad skate	Cimar Round Ray
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Elasmobranchii	Elasmobranchii
Order	Rajiformes (Rajiformes)	Myliobatiformes (Myliobatiformes)
Family	Rajidae	Urotrygonidae
Genus	Amblyraja	Urotrygon
Species	Amblyraja badia	Urotrygon cimar

Evolutionary Relationship

Broad skate and Cimar Round Ray share a common ancestor at the Class level: Elasmobranchii.

Conservation Status

Broad skate

LC — Least Concern

Cimar Round Ray

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Broad skate	Cimar Round Ray
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

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.

Cimar Round Ray

The Cimar round ray (Urotrygon cimar) is a small stingray in the family Urotrygonidae, found in the eastern Pacific Ocean along the coasts of Central America and northern South America, including the waters of Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador. It inhabits shallow coastal and estuarine waters over sandy and muddy bottoms, typically at depths of less than 50 meters, where it feeds on small benthic invertebrates and fish. Like other round rays in the genus Urotrygon, it has a nearly circular disc outline, a relatively slender tail, and a venomous caudal spine used defensively against predators. The species is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, reflecting its restricted range, vulnerability to coastal habitat degradation, and incidental capture in artisanal and commercial fisheries throughout its range. Bycatch in shrimp trawls and gill nets represents a significant ongoing threat to Urotrygon species throughout the eastern Pacific. Shallow coastal habitats in Central America and Colombia face continued pressure from development, mangrove loss, and pollution. The species' reproductive biology, like that of most Urotrygon rays, involves ovoviviparity, with females giving birth to live young after internal development. Population assessments for this species remain limited, and more data on abundance and mortality rates are needed.