The Shorttail catshark (Parmaturus sp. A) is a species of catshark belonging to the family Scyliorhinidae that is only known from one female specimen. The specimen was found on a deepwater offshore plateau off the coast of Queensland. They have a soft and flabby body with velvety skin, and a crest of saw-like dermal denticles along the top and under the tail.
Family: Scyliorhinidae – Catsharks
Genus: Parmaturus
Species: sp. A
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Common Name– Ground Sharks
Family– Scyliorhinidae
Common Name– Catsharks
Genus– Parmaturus
Species– sp. A
Status: IUCN Red List NOT EVALUATED
Average Size and Length: Mature females have been measured at 72 cm.
Teeth and Jaw: The upper and lower teeth are pointed with three cusps, with the center cusp being longer than the two surrounding cusps.
Head: They have a moderately long, pointed snout. There are large, triangular anterior nasal flaps. There are ridges under the eyes.
Denticles: The skin feels velvety to the touch. There is a crest of saw-like dermal denticles along the top of the tail and also below the tail.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Shorttail catshark can be found in northeast Australia in Queensland in one offshore location at an offshore deepwater plateau at 590 m.
Aesthetic Identification: The Shorttail catshark is different than the New Zealand Filetail in that they have a longer snout, and the dorsal fins are set further back. The Shorttail catshark has a soft, flabby, pale yellowish-brown body with skin that is velvety. They are pale ventrally, and the fins have paler margins. The gill slits are small. The first dorsal fin is smaller than the second dorsal fin, with the origin far behind the pelvic origins and just about over the insertions. The second dorsal fin is smaller than the anal fin, with the insertion far behind the anal fin insertion.
Biology and Reproduction: They are oviparous. The mature female that was captured had one egg case.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown.
Shorttail Catshark Future and Conservation: They are currently not evaluated. They are only known from one specimen.
Shorttail Catshark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.