What is "r laevis"

Skate \Skate\, n. [Icel. skata; cf. Prov. G. schatten, meer-schatten, L. squatus, squatina, and E. shad.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of large, flat elasmobranch fishes of the genus Raia, having a long, slender tail, terminated by a small caudal fin. The pectoral fins, which are large and broad and united to the sides of the body and head, give a somewhat rhombic form to these fishes. The skin is more or less spinose.

Note: Some of the species are used for food, as the European blue or gray skate ( Raia batis), which sometimes weighs nearly 200 pounds. The American smooth, or barn-door, skate ( R. l[ae]vis) is also a large species, often becoming three or four feet across. The common spiny skate ( R. erinacea) is much smaller.

Skate's egg. See Sea purse.

Skate sucker, any marine leech of the genus Pontobdella, parasitic on skates.