CYRANO SPURDOG

Taxonomy:

Phylum– Chordata

Class– Chondrichthyles

Subclass– Elasmobranchii

Order– Squaliformes

Common Name– Dogfish Sharks

Family– Squalidae

Common Name– Dogfish Sharks

Genus– Squalus

Species– rancureli

Status: IUCN Red List NEAR THREATENED

Average Size and Length: The Cyrano spurdog is born around 9.5 inches long. Mature females on average are 2.1 feet and maximum recorded is 2.5 feet long.

Head: The head of the Cyrano spurdog is broad with an extremely long snout with small barbels on the anterior nasal flaps. The eyes are fairly large, horizontally streatched, and closer to the tip of the snout than the first gill slit

Tail: Asymmetrical.

Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Cyrano spurdog can be found in the southwest Pacific in Vanuatu. They prefer deep water between 1,050-1,312 feet on the insular slope.

Diet: Unconfirmed.

Aesthetic Identification: The Cyrano spurdog is a slender shark, with a dark grey-brown body above, and a lighter grey counter-shaded ventral side. The dorsal fin is webbed with dusky or blackish. The caudal fin web is dusky. The pectoral fins, the pelvic fins and the upper lobe of the caudal fin has white posterior margins. The lower caudal lobe has a white tip. The pectoral fins have broad, concave margins and narrow rounded rear tips. The first dorsal fin is high with a long spine. They originate over the pectoral inner margins.

Biology and Reproduction: The Cyrano spurdog is more than likely ovoviviparous having 3 pups per litter.  More than likely a long gestation.

Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown.

Cyrano Spurdog Future and Conservation: The Cyrano spurdog is near threatened because they have a very small, endemic range.

Cyrano Spurdog Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.