Author: (Garman, 1881)
Field Marks:
The bold chain colour pattern of black lines is unique to this shark and Cephaloscyllium fasciatum; but the latter species has no labial furrows and more anteriorly situated dorsal fins.
Diagnostic Features:
Head and body relatively deep, slender and narrow; greatest width of head about 2/3 of head length; no nasoral grooves; anterior nasal flaps not expanded and falling somewhat anterior to mouth. First dorsal origin somewhat behind pelvic insertions; second dorsal origin somewhat anterior to anal insertion; interdorsal space considerably greater than anal base. Denticles small and flat, surface of skin relatively smooth. Colour pattern of bold black lines, outlining obscure dusky saddles and sometimes extending over lateral surfaces and back as a reticular network; no light or dark spots. Size moderate, adults below 50 cm.
Geographical Distribution:
Western North Atlantic: Southern New England to Florida, northern Gulf of Mexico to Nicaragua.
Habitat and Biology:
A common deepwater catshark of the outer continental shelf and upper slope, found on or near the bottom, at depths of 73 to 550 m. At the northern end of its range it occurs on the outer continental shelf but southward it is a slope species generally found below 450 m. Its distribution is irregular, with areas where it is common being interspersed with those where it is rare or absent. There is some evidence that it is commonest on extremely rough, rocky bottom where trawl hauls are difficult or impossible to make. Water temperatures where it occurs range from 8.5 to 11.3 C.
Oviparous. A trawl haul of numerous hatchlings off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, USA, suggpsts that there is a limited 'nesting' and nursery area there.
Food habits are unknown. All of 38 adults and young examined by Springer (1979) were empty of food, but half of these had small pebbles in their stomachs; Springer hypothesized that these might be useful as ballast.
Size:
Maximum 47 cm, adult males 37 to 41 cm, adult females 35 to 47 cm; size of hatchlings about 10 cm.
Interest to Fisheries:
None at present.
Type material:
Holotype: Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard, MCZ-825, 307 mm immature male. Type Locality: Off Virginia, USA, 38°22.6'N, 73°33.7'W, 163 m depth. |
