WESTERN LONGNOSE SPURDOG
Small spurdog off western Australia
The Western Longnose spurdog (Squalus nasutus previously sp. E) is a dogfish of the family Squalidae, found on the continental shelf off the northwest and southwest coasts of Western Australia, at depths between 984 and 1,673 feet. Its length is at least 1.8 feet.
Family: Squalidae – Dogfish Sharks
Genus: Squalus
Species: nasutus
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Subclass– Elasmobranchii
Common Name– Dogfish Sharks
Family– Squalidae
Common Name– Dogfish Sharks
Genus– Squalus
Species– nasutus
Status: IUCN Red List DATA DEFICIENT
Average Size and Length: Its length is at least 1.8 feet. Mature males are around 1.6 feet.
Head: The Western Longnose spurdog has a narrow head and long, narrow snout. There are short barbels on the anterior nasal flaps. The eyes are large.
Tail: A dark blotch is seen on part of the caudal fin’s posterior margin.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Western Longnose spurdog is found on the continental shelf off the northwest and southwest coasts of Western Australia, at depths between 984 and 1,673 feet.
Aesthetic Identification: The Western Longnose spurdog is small and slender. It is light grey above, and paler below. The pale dorsal fins have dusky tips and posterior margins. The pectoral fin has a shallowly concave posterior margin that is also pale and rounded rear tips. The first dorsal fin is moderately high with a short, slender spine.
Biology and Reproduction: They are thought to be ovoviviparous.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown, but the very little research completed suggests solitary.
Western Longnose Spurdog Future and Conservation: Rare. There isn’t enough data to evaluate, but possibly discarded as bycatch by deep water trawl fishing vessels.
Western Longnose Spurdog Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.