AUSTRALIAN MARBLED CATSHARK
Shallow water catshark
The Australian Marbled catshark (Atelomycterus macleayi) is a shark belonging to the family Scyliorhinidae. They have been found in northern and western Australia between latitudes 12° S and 21° S in very shallow water on sandy or rocky bottoms.
Family: Scyliorhinidae – Catsharks
Genus: Atelomycterus
Species: macleayi
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Common Name– Ground Sharks
Family– Scyliorhinidae
Common Name– Catsharks
Genus– Atelomycterus
Species– macleayi
Status: IUCN Red List LEAST CONCERN
Average Size and Length: Hatchlings are around 10 cm. An egg case measures 70 mm/7 cm. Mature males measure 48 cm/1.6 feet. Mature females measure 51 cm/1.7 feet. The maximum recorded is 60 cm/2 feet.
Teeth and Jaw: There are long labial furrows.
Head: The head is narrow. There are greatly expanded anterior nasal flaps that extend to the mouth. There are nasoral grooves.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Australian Marbled catshark can be found in Australia in the western and norther territory and possibly Queensland. They can be found in sand and rock in very shallow water between 2-11 feet deep.
Aesthetic Identification: The Australian Marbled catshark is a slender shark. They are light grey to grey-brown. There are darker grey or brown saddles, which are outlined and partially covered in adults by many small black spots which are also scattered on the flanks. There are no white spots. Young hatchlings do not have spots. The dorsal fins are much larger than the anal fin. The first dorsal fin origin is opposite the pelvic fin insertions.
Biology and Reproduction: They are oviparous. They lay pairs of egg cases.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown.
Australian Marbled Catshark Future and Conservation: They are of least concern. They are common and no fisheries within its range, and are quite shallow-water occurring.
Australian Marbled Catshark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.