angular roughshark
Interestingly shaped roughshark with huge knobs covered in dermal denticles over the eyes
The Angular roughshark (Oxynotus centrina) is a roughshark of the family Oxynotidae. It is a rare shark spending its time on the bottom. The Angular roughshark has a very unique shaped body, snout and eyes, with sail-like dorsal fins.
Family: Oxynotidae – Roughsharks
Genus: Oxynotus
Species: centrina
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Subclass– Elasmobranchii
Common Name– Dogfish Sharks
Family– Oxynotidae
Common Name– Roughsharks
Genus– Oxynotus
Species– centrina
Status: IUCN Red List VULNERABLE
Average Size and Length: Angular roughsharks are born less than 9.8 inches and mature at around 18-20 inches. Most records indicate that they are around 3.3 feet, but there are accounts of Angular roughsharks around 4.9 feet.
Teeth and Jaw: The Angular roughshark has lanceolate upper teeth and blade-like lower teeth, with 12 rows of teeth on either side.
Head: The Angular roughshark has a broad, flattened head, with a fat, blunt snout. They have ridges over their eyes that expand into large, rounded knobs, which are covered with enlarged denticles. They have large spiracles that are vertically elongated, almost as high as the length of their eyes.
Denticles: The dermal denticles are extended on round knobs over their eyes.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Angular roughshark can be found in the eastern Atlantic from Norway to South Africa, including the entire Mediterranean. They may also be found off Mozambique. They prefer coralline algal and muddy bottoms on continental shelves and upper slopes at depths of 164 to 2,165 feet, but occur mostly below 328 feet. Studies of these sharks in the Mediterranean indicate they prefer to spend their times at depths of 200 to 1,970 feet.
Diet: They feed on worms, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Aesthetic Identification: The Angular roughshark is grey to grey-brown dorsally with dark blotches on its head and sides. They have a light horizontal line below the eyes on the cheek. They have a compressed body, that is triangular in cross section. they have two relatively large dorsal fins that are sail-like, and no anal fin. Their first dorsal spine is oriented slightly forward.
Biology and Reproduction: The litter size of the Angular roughshark is around 7-8 pups in Angola, but in the Mediterranean they have up to 23.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown.
Speed: The Angular roughshark usually glides on the bottom, sometimes hovering over the sandy or muddy surfaces of the seabed.
Angular Roughshark Future and Conservation: The Angular roughshark is vulnerable being a minor bycatch, but there has been a decrease in fishing and therefore the species is seeing a positive comeback.
Angular Roughshark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.