BEIGE CATSHARK

Taxonomy:

Phylum– Chordata

Class– Chondrichthyles

Order– Carcharhiniformes

Common Name– Ground Sharks

Family– Scyliorhinidae

Common Name– Catsharks

Genus– Parmaturus

Species– bigus

Status: IUCN Red List DATA DEFICIENT

Average Size and Length: The female recorded was 72 cm/2.4 feet.

Teeth and Jaw: The mouth is short, with a length of 3.6% of the total length. There are short labial furrows, the lower furrow is longer than the upper one, 1.7% and 1.2% of the total length respectively. The teeth are mainly tricuspidate, with 120 rows in the upper jaw.

Head: The head is not depressed, the height is subequal to its width, with the length shorter than the abdomen, at 19.8% of the total length. They have a relatively short snout, with the prenarial length 4.2% of the total length.

Denticles: They have velvety skin, with small tricuspidate denticles. The denticles are enlarged on the crest, and are saw-like.

Tail: The subterminal caudal lobe is relatively small, with the subterminal margin length at 3.8% of the total length. The terminal margin length is 3.6% of the total length.

Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The first recorded specimen was a female recorded off the coast of Queensland, Australia around Lord Howe Island in the western Pacific Ocean. Some are saying that recently, a number of both male and female specimens were captured in the waters off New Zealand, at the edge of the EEZ (exclusive economic zone), but this is unpublished. They have been found at 1,988 feet in the bathydemersal zone.

Aesthetic Identification: The Beige catshark has a soft body and is plain pale yellowish brown in coloration. The fins are yellowish brown with slightly paler edges. The dorsal caudal crest is well-developed, the ventral crest is distinct but weak. The first dorsal fin is slightly behind and at mid-length, the pre-first dorsal length is 54.9% of the total length. The pelvic fins are slightly forward and are of mid-length, the pre-pelvic length is 48.9% of the total length. There is a vent at the middle of the body, the pre-vent length is 50.8% of the total length. The pectoral-pelvic length is 25.4% of the total length. The second dorsal fin is larger than the first. The anterior margins of the first are 5.2% and the second 9.3% of the total length.

Biology and Reproduction: The reproduction is oviparous. There are 47 monospondylous centra, 102 precaudal centra, and 144 total centra.

Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Current studies around the sensory system of the Beige catshark are being conducted.

Beige Catshark Future and Conservation: There is not enough data to evaluate.

Beige Catshark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.