SEYCHELLES SPURDOG
Little known spurdog of Seychelles
The Seychelles spurdog (Squalus lalannei) is a dogfish belonging to the family Squalidae. It was first described by Baranes, A. in 2003. These are his descriptions. It is found off the Republic of Seychelles.
Family: Squalidae – Dogfish Sharks
Genus: Squalus
Species: lalannei
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Subclass– Elasmobranchii
Common Name– Dogfish Sharks
Family– Squalidae
Common Name– Dogfish Sharks
Genus– Squalus
Species– lalannei
Status: IUCN Red List DATA DEFICIENT
Average Size and Length: The only known female is measured at 2.6 feet and the only male at 2 feet.
Head: There is only one developed lobe at the anterior part of nostril flap. The nostrils’ inner corner sits at about midway between tip of snout and the upper lip.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The only two known specimens were collected at 3,281 feet off Alphonse Island, Republic of Seychelles in the Western Indian Ocean. They are tropical bathydemersal.
Aesthetic Identification: The Seychelles spurdog is uniformly grey with blackish dorsal fins. There is a rounded free rear tip of the pectoral fins.
Biology and Reproduction: The Seychelles spurdog has a low number of precaudal vertebrae (67-69). They are more than likely ovoviviparous.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown.
Seychelles Spurdog Future and Conservation: Not enough data to evaluate.
Seychelles Spurdog Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.