Garrick’s Catshark
Many sharks are named in honor of someone special
Garricks catshark (Apristurus garricki) is a species of shark belonging to the family Scyliorhinidae found in the waters of New Zealand in northern Chatham Rise. It is named in honor of Dr. Jack Garrick. They are currently of least concern, but not much is known about this recently described species. The original diagnose comes from Sato, Stewart and Nakaya, 2013.
Family: Scyliorhinidae – Catsharks
Genus: Apristurus
Species: garricki
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Common Name– Ground Sharks
Family– Scyliorhinidae
Common Name– Catsharks
Genus– Apristurus
Species– garricki
Status: IUCN Red List LEAST CONCERN
Average Size and Length: Males have been measured at 729 mm/72.9 cm/2.4 feet and females at 735 mm/73.5/2.4 feet.
Teeth and Jaw: The tooth rows are between 37-50 on the upper, and 38-49 on lower jaws. The teeth on the medial 5th of both jaws are tricuspid with a long, robust central cusp and smaller lateral cusps. The lateral 13th and posterior 20th are about 5 pointed (but there can be a few more in immature and female specimens).
Head: The snout is long. The pre-outer nostril length is greater than the interorbital width.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: Garrick’s catshark can be found in New Zealand in northern Chatham Rise. They can be found in deep water between 1,696-3,937 feet. They are considered bathydemersal.
Aesthetic Identification: There is a short P1-P2 distance. The tip of the pectoral fin reaches to the midway of P1-P2 space. The first dorsal fin is small and its origin is always behind the pelvic fin axil. The long base of the anal fin is 13.7-17.7% of the total length.
Biology and Reproduction: The vertebral counts of monospondylous is between 34-37 and those of precaudal diplospondylous between 32-39. The total counts of the precaudal vertebrae are between 66-73. The intestinal spiral valves are between 10-13. They are oviparous. They have dark to yellowish brown egg cases (this is known from the paratype) that are 140 mm long and 37 mm wide.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown.
Garrick’s Catshark Future and Conservation: They are currently of least concern.
Garrick’s Catshark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.