anacanthobatids

Anacanthobatids are a family of skates, a type of cartilaginous fish belonging to the order Rajiformes. They are characterized by their distinctive thorny snout, which gives them their scientific name, derived from Greek "anakantha" meaning "thornless" and "bates" meaning "walker," a misnomer referring to the absence of spines on their pectoral fins, not their snout. These skates are found in the deep waters of the Atlantic and southeastern Pacific Oceans, inhabiting depths ranging from 200 to over 1000 meters.

Morphologically, anacanthobatids are relatively small skates compared to some of their relatives, typically measuring under 30 centimeters in length. They possess a flattened body with broad, wing-like pectoral fins that they use for propulsion. Their coloration is usually a uniform brown or grey, providing camouflage against the seafloor. A key feature is their highly specialized snout, which is often pointed and stiff, likely used for probing soft sediments to find prey. Their diet consists primarily of small invertebrates such as crustaceans and polychaete worms.

Reproduction in anacanthobatids, like other skates, involves internal fertilization and the laying of leathery egg cases, often referred to as "mermaid's purses." The young develop within these cases, protected by the deep-sea environment. Due to their deep-water habitat, anacanthobatids are rarely encountered by humans, and their population status and ecological roles are not extensively studied. They are not a commercially targeted species.