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the web of life in southern Africa

Bythaelurus lutarius (Mud catshark)

(Springer & D'Aubrey, 1972)

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

Bythaelurus lutarius (Mud catshark) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A slender, plain brown dwarf catshark with a moderately long snout, short labial furrows, and no crest of enlarged denticles on caudal fin.

Size

To 39 cm TL.

Range

East coast off Mozambique; also Somalia.

 

Habitat

Upper slope in tropics, on or just above mud substrate at 338 to 766 m.

Biology

Bears 2 young. Feeds on cephalopods, small bony fish, and crustaceans.

Human Impact

None.

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