Eastern Australian angelshark

Taxobox
name = Eastern Australian angelshark


image_caption =
status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Chondrichthyes
subclassis = Elasmobranchii
ordo = Squatiniformes
familia = Squatinidae
genus = "Squatina"
species = "S. sp.A"
binomial = "Squatina sp.A"
binomial_authority = The Eastern Australian angelshark, "Squatina sp.A", is an angel shark of the family Squatinidae found off eastern Australia, at depths of between 130 and 315 m. Its length is up to 1.3 m.

The Eastern Australian angelshark is found mainly on muddy bottoms. It has a very short snout and its head is concave between the eyes. The nasal barbels have expanded tips and lobate fringes. There are strong orbital thorns, but no medial row of thorns in front of the first dorsal fin. It feeds on small sharks, jacks, cuttlefish and crustaceans. Mainly in the south of its range it is utilized dried salted and fresh for human consumption, liver oil and hide is also utilized.

Coloration is yellow-brown to chocolate-brown, with a dense pattern of symmetrical small white, dark-edged spots, many large brownish blotches, and white nuchal spot.

Reproduction is ovoviviparous, with up to 20 pups in a litter.

References

* Compagno, Dando, & Fowler, "Sharks of the World", Princeton University Press, New Jersey 2005 ISBN 0-691-12072-2
* Pogonoski, J. & Pollard, D. 2003. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/42729/all Squatina sp. nov. A] . [http://www.iucnredlist.org 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. ] Downloaded on 03 August 2007.