Epaulard vs Multispine skate

Orcinus orca compared with Bathyraja multispinis

Key Differences

• Epaulard is Data Deficient while Multispine skate is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Epaulard	Multispine skate
Kingdom same	Animalia (животные)	Animalia (животные)
Phylum same	Chordata (хордовые)	Chordata (хордовые)
Class	Mammalia (млекопитающие)	Elasmobranchii
Order	Cetacea (Whales & Dolphins)	Rajiformes (скатообразные)
Family	Delphinidae (Oceanic Dolphins)	Arhynchobatidae
Genus	Orcinus (Orcas)	Bathyraja
Species	Orcinus orca	Bathyraja multispinis

Evolutionary Relationship

Epaulard and Multispine skate share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (хордовые)

Conservation Status

Epaulard

DD — Data Deficient

Population: ~50.0K

Trend: Unknown ?

Multispine skate

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Epaulard	Multispine skate
Diet	Carnivore	—
Average Lifespan	50 years	—
Average Length	8.0 m	—
Average Weight	5.4 t	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Epaulard

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 11 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (4 countries), and South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela).

Multispine skate

Habitat

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

Range

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

Epaulard

The largest member of the dolphin family, orcas reach up to 9 meters and 6 tonnes and are found in every ocean from Arctic to Antarctic. Apex predators living in matrilineal pods with distinct dialects, hunting strategies, and cultural traditions that differ between populations. Some populations specialize in fish, others in marine mammals. No natural predators; orcas sit at the top of every marine food chain they inhabit.