The Eastern Australian sawshark, (Pristiophorus peroniensis), is a sawshark of the family Pristiophoridae, found off southeastern mainland Australia at depths of between 328 and 2,067 feet. Its length is up to 5.2 feet. Prior to its description in 2008, this species was known as Pristiophorus sp. A.
Family: Pristiophoridae – Sawsharks
Genus: Pristiophorus
Species: peroniensis
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Subclass– Elasmobranchii
Common Name– Sawsharks
Family– Pristiophoridae
Common Name– Sawsharks
Genus– Pristiophorus
Species– peroniensis
Status: IUCN Red List NEAR THREATENED
Average Size and Length: The Eastern Australian sawshark is born just over 1 foot. The average recorded lengths have been over 3.5 to 4.5 feet. The longest recorded has been 5.2 feet.
Teeth and Jaw: Juvenile Eastern Australian sawsharks usually have 1 smaller tooth in between larger lateral rostral teeth. There are 20-25 large lateral sawteeth. 11-15 sawteeth before the barbels and 9-10 behind the barbels.
Head: The rostral saw of the Eastern Australian sawshark is long and narrow with a preoral length of between 25%-30%. The barbels are closer to the rostral tip than the mouth.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Southeast Australian sawshark is found in southeast Australia offshore over continental shelves and the upper slope between 328 and 2,067 feet.
Aesthetic Identification: The Eastern Australian sawshark is a large and stalky sawshark that is plain grey-brown with no spots or bars above and counter-shaded white below. The rostrum has darker brownish stripes along the midline and on the edges. The pectoral and dorsal fins have dark anterior margins in juveniles.
Biology and Reproduction: Possibly ovoviviparous.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown.
Eastern Australian Sawshark Future and Conservation: The Southeast Australian sawshark’s range is extremely restricted, and that range is heavily fished and therefore bycatch is a huge threat.
Eastern Australian Sawshark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.