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The shark species "Shorttail nurse shark"

Photo
Unfortunately, there is not yet a photo of this shark in the database
Unfortunately, there is not yet a photo of this shark in the database
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
Shorttail nurse shark

Rough area of distribution

Taxonomy
Kingdom:
Animals (Animalia)
Phylum:
Vertebrates (Chordata)
Class:
Cartilagenous fishes (Chondrichthyes)
Order:
Carpet sharks (Orectolobiformes)
Family:
Nurse sharks (Ginglymostomatidae)
Genus:
Pseudoginglymostoma
Names
Scientific:
Pseudoginglymostoma brevicaudatum
Synonym:
Ginglymostoma brevicaudatum
English:
Shorttail nurse shark
German:
Kurzschwanz Ammenhai
French:
Requin-nourrice à queue courte
Spanish:
Gata nodriza rabicorta
Appearance
Typical nurse shark appearance, but very small. Broad and flattened head. Small spiracles behind the eyes. Very short barbels. Mouth well in front of the eyes. Cylindrical body, with two dorsal fins of nearly the same size. Anal fin of same size as dorsal fins. Origin of first dorsal fin over bases of pelvic fins. Origin of second dorsal fin over anal fin"s origin. Moderately large pectoral fins, broad.
Coloration
Entire body is dark brown. No conspicuous markings.
Distribution
Western Indian Ocean: Tanzania, Kenya.
Biology
A little known species of inshore waters. Lives preferably at the bottom of the continental and insular shelves. Seems to be common.
Diet
Feeds most likely on molluscs.
Size
Compared to other "nurse sharks", it is very small, maximum size about 75 cm, average between 50 and 70 cm.
Reproduction
Unknown, most likely aplacental viviparous (ovoviviparous).
Similar Species
Similar to Tawny nurse shark , which however is of much larger size, its pectoral fins are falcate, and dorsal fins pointed.
Vulnerability
Category: Critically Endangered (CR)
Criteria: A2cd
Last evaluated: 2019
Trend: Decreasing




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

Danger to Humans
Harmless.

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