Pygmy shark

Taxobox
name = Pygmy shark


image_caption = Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = unknown
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Chondrichthyes
subclassis = Elasmobranchii
ordo = Squaliformes
familia = Dalatiidae
subfamilia = Dalatiinae
genus = "Euprotomicrus"
genus_authority = Gill, 1865
species = "E. bispinatus"
range_

---

range_map_width = 200px
range_map_caption = Range of pygmy shark (in blue)
binomial = "Euprotomicrus bispinatus"
binomial_authority = (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)

The pygmy shark, "Euprotomicrus bispinatus", the second-smallest of all the shark species after the dwarf lanternshark, is a sleeper shark of the Dalatiidae family, the only member of the genus "Euprotomicrus", found in subtropical and warm temperate oceans worldwide, from the surface to depths of 1,800 m. Their length is up to about 25 cm (10 in) for females and about 22 cm (8.7 in) for males.

The pygmy shark has a large head and underslung jaw, strangely shaped caudal fin, and a very small first dorsal fin set far back on the body. The shark has no spines in front of the dorsal fins. The shark is black with a slightly paler belly and white borders to the fins.

The lower body is luminescent, which is thought to help in disguising the fish's dark silhouette from upward-looking predators below.

The shark undertakes vertical migrations from the lower levels of its depth range to the surface each night. They follow the deep-water crustaceans, squids, and bony fish which rise at the same time to feed on surface plankton in comparative safety.

Pygmy sharks are ovoviviparous and produce about 8 young in each litter.

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
*
*
* Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, "Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand", (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8
* Timothy C. Tricas & others, "Sharks & Rays", (Harper Collins Publishers Ltd, London, UK 1997) ISBN 0-00-220104-6