Sawback angelshark
| Sawback angelshark | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Order: | Squatiniformes |
| Family: | Squatinidae |
| Genus: | Squatina |
| Species: | S. aculeata |
| Binomial name | |
| Squatina aculeata Cuvier, 1829 | |
 | |
| Range of sawback angelshark (in blue) | |
The sawback angelshark (Squatina aculeata) is an angel shark of the family Squatinidae
Measurements
Mature ~ 100.0–124 cm TL; Max ~ 188 cm TL.
Identification
Colour: Are a dull grey to a light brown on back that has scarcely scattered with small irregular white spots and also with regular small dark brownish spots. No ocelli. Obtains dark blotches on head, back, the fin bases and tail. Body: Obtains large thorns atop its head in a row down its back. Has concave between eye, eye spiracle distance <1.5 x eye length. Has heavily fringed nasal barbels and including anterior nasal flaps.
Distribution & Range
Eastern Atlantic: western Mediterranean, Morocco, Senegal, Guinea to Nigeria, then Gabon to Angola. 43°N - 19°S, 18°W - 30°E.
Climate & Habitat
Subtropical; Offshore species, outer continental shelf and upper slope, demersal, marine. Usually found on a muddy bottom. 30 - 500m down.
Behaviour
Unknown.
Biology
Diet: feeds on small sharks, bony fishes, cuttlefish, and crustaceans. Reproduction: are ovoviviparous.
Status
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered.
Threat to Humans
Harmless.
Resilience & Vulnerability
Low, minimum population doubling time: 4.5 – 14 years; high to very high vulnerability.
References
- Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2006). "Squatina aculeata" in FishBase. July 2006 version.
- Compagno, Dando, & Fowler, Sharks of the World, Princeton University Press, New Jersey 2005 ISBN 0-691-12072-2