The White Bodied catshark (Apristurus albisoma) is a shark belonging to the family Scyliorhinidae. They are small, and white-ish in color found in the southwestern Pacific in deep water. Their range is quite limited. Not much is known about this shark.
Family: Scyliorhinidae – Catsharks
Genus: Apristurus
Species: albisoma
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Common Name– Ground Sharks
Family– Scyliorhinidae
Common Name– Catsharks
Genus– Apristurus
Species– albisoma
Status: IUCN Red List LEAST CONCERN
Average Size and Length: Mature sharks have been measured between 40-50 cm/1.3-1.6 feet. The maximum recorded male was measured at 57 cm/1.9 feet, and the maximum recorded female was 60 cm/2 feet.
Teeth and Jaw: The mouth is long and arched. The labial furrows are long. The uppers reach the upper symphysis and the lowers are almost as long as the uppers. The teeth are small, sharp and pointed straight.
Head: They have a broad, flattened head. The snout is elongated. The nostrils are moderately large. The eyes are very small, and the mouth reaches in front of them.
Tail: The caudal fin is elongated.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The White-Bodied catshark can be found off the southwest Pacific off of New Caledonia in Norfolk and Lord Howe Ridges. They can be found over the deep slope between 3,068-5,131 feet, possibly on the soft bottom.
Diet: They eat shrimp and cephalopods.
Aesthetic Identification: The White Bodied catshark is whitish in color. The first dorsal fin base is over the pelvic fin bases and is slightly smaller than the second one. The anal fin is large, short and high. It is separated from the long tail fin by a small notch.
Biology and Reproduction: Poorly known.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Not much is known.
White-Bodied Catshark Future and Conservation: Currently, they are of least concern. In the past they were listed as near threatened due to heavy bycatch by bottom trawlers.
White-Bodied Catshark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.