japanese spurdog

Taxonomy:

Phylum– Chordata

Class– Chondrichthyles

Subclass– Elasmobranchii

Order– Squaliformes

Common Name– Dogfish Sharks

Family– Squalidae

Common Name– Dogfish Sharks

Genus– Squalus

Species– japonicus

Status: IUCN Red List DATA DEFICIENT

Average Size and Length: The Japanese spurdog is born between 7.5-12 inches. Mature males are between 1.6-2.3 feet, and mature females between 1.8-2.6 feet. The maximum recorded is 3.1 feet.

Head: The head of the Japanese spurdog is very narrow with a long, pointed snout. There are small barbels on the anterior nasal flaps. The eyes are large.

Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Japanese spurdog is found in the western Pacific Ocean from southeastern Japan and the East China Sea, including the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and the Arafura Sea. They can be found on or near the bottom in temperate to tropical seas on outer shelves and the upper slopes between 394-1,116 feet.

Aesthetic Identification: The Japanese spurdog is a slender shark. It is grey to reddish grey, and sometimes even bluish brown. There are no white spots. The dorsal fin, caudal fin margin and subcaudal notch are all dusky, but do not have black patches. The pectoral and caudal fin lobes have white posterior margins. They have shallowly concave posterior pectoral fin margins and narrowly rounded rear tips. The first dorsal fin is moderately high, with a long, slender spine that originates over the pectoral inner margins.

Biology and Reproduction: The Japanese spurdog is ovoviviparous. They have 2-8 pups per litter. Th elitter size increases with the size of the female each year.

Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown.

Japanese Spurdog Future and Conservation: The Japanese spurdog is common and fished off of Kapan and Taiwan. They are also typically kept in aquariums.

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