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The shark species "Smallmouth velvet dogfish"

Photo
Smallmouth velvet dogfish
Smallmouth velvet dogfish
Photo © alamy.com

Photo © alamy.com

Range Map
North America South America Africa Australia Europe Asia Coming soon Coming soon
North America South America Africa Australia Europe Asia Coming soon Coming soon
Smallmouth velvet dogfish

Rough area of distribution

Taxonomy
Kingdom:
Animals (Animalia)
Phylum:
Vertebrates (Chordata)
Class:
Cartilagenous fishes (Chondrichthyes)
Order:
Dogfish sharks (Squaliformes)
Family:
Sleeper sharks (Somniosidae)
Genus:
Zameus
Names
Scientific:
Zameus squamulosus
Synonym:
Scymnodon obscurus
English:
Smallmouth velvet dogfish
German:
Kleinmaulsamthai
French:
Squale-grogneur a queue echancree
Spanish:
Bruja bocachica
Appearance
Small shark, with a moderately long, pointed and flattened snout. Narrow pectoral fins. Dorsal fins with minute, grooved spines. Origin of first dorsal fin over or at the end of the free rear ends of the pectoral fins. Pelvic fins about the size of the second dorsal fin. Spiracles present. Caudal fin with strong subterminal notch and a short lower lobe.
Coloration
Blackish brown or dark brown, no conspicuous markings.
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Northern Gulf of Mexico, Surinam; southern Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Iceland to Madeira, Morocco, Cape Verde Islands, Senegal. Indian Ocean: South Africa.
Biology
A little-known deepwater species that can be found close to or at the bottom usually between 500 m and 1400 m depth. Maximum range between surface and about 2000 m.
Diet
Feeds on bottom fishes and invertebrates.
Size
Average size about 50 cm, maximum size about 60 cm.
Reproduction
Aplacental viviparous (ovoviviparous).
Similar Species
Similar species exist, taxonomic features have to be used to identify the different species.
Vulnerability
Category: Least Concern (LC)
Criteria: -
Last evaluated: 2020
Trend: Stable




© IUCN Red List 2024. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Version 2024-2.

Danger to Humans
Harmless.

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