Apristurus saldanha (Saldanha catshark)

(Barnard, 1925)

 Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates)  > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) >.Chondrichthyes > Elasmobranchii > Galeomorphii > Carcharhiniformes > Scyliorhinidae

Apristurus saldanha (Saldanha catshark) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]]

Identification

A plain, dark deepwater catshark with moderately large eyes, a thick long broad snout, long labial furrows, stout body, mouth not projecting in front of eyes, and large pectoral fins. Colour uniform grey-brown.

Size

To 88 cm TL.

Range

 West coast, Cape Columbine to south of False Bay. Endemic.

Habitat

Slope at 453 to 717 m. Biology Uncommon and little-known. Lays eggs. Eats small bony fish and cephalopods.

Human Impact

None.

Text by Leonard J.V. Compagno, David A. Ebert and Malcolm J. Smale