LARGENOSE CATSHARK
The catshark with a large snout
The Largenose catshark (Apristurus nasutus) is a shark belonging to the family Scyliorhinidae. They can be found on the upper continental slopes in the eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of Panama to Ecuador and central Chile, between 9°N and 28°S. Not much is known about this shark. It is most identifiable by its elongated snout.
Family: Scyliorhinidae – Catsharks
Genus: Apristurus
Species: nasutus
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Common Name– Ground Sharks
Family– Scyliorhinidae
Common Name– Catsharks
Genus– Apristurus
Species– nasutus
Status: IUCN Red List DATA DEFICIENT
Average Size and Length: Their lengths are mostly unknown. Adult males have been measured at 56 cm/1.8 feet.
Teeth and Jaw: The labial furrows are long. The uppers reach the upper symphysis and the lowers are shorter. The teeth are sharp, broad and pointed with 3 cusps and almost burr-like.
Head: The head is broad and flattened and the snout is elongated. The mouth extends a short distance from the eyes. The eyes are small and cat-like in appearance.
Tail: The caudal fin is elongated.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Largenose catshark is can be found in the east Pacific in Panama, Ecuador and Chile. There were records in other areas that are more than likely a misidentification. They can be found on the upper continental slopes on or near the bottom between 1,312-3,035 feet. They are considered bathydemersal.
Aesthetic Identification: The Largenose catshark is grey, medium brown to greyish black in color. The posterior fin margins are pale. The gill slits are smaller than the adult eye length. The first dorsal fin is slightly smaller than the second dorsal fin. The first dorsal fin originates over the over the pelvic fin midbases. The anal fin is large and angular. It is separated from the tail by a small notch.
Biology and Reproduction: Not much is known, but they may be possibly oviparous.
Parasites of the Largenose catshark, studied off Chile, include Monogeneans, Cestodes, and Nematodes. (Espínola-Novelo, Juan F.; Escribano, Rubén; Oliva, Marcelo E. (2018). “Metazoan parasite communities of two deep-sea elasmobranchs: the southern lanternshark, Etmopterus granulosus, and the largenose catshark, Apristurus nasutus, in the Southeastern Pacific Ocean“)
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown. They may be possibly nocturnal.
Largenose Catshark Future and Conservation: They are not evaluated.
Largenose Catshark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.