Speckled carpetshark

Taxobox
name = Speckled carpetshark


status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Chondrichthyes
subclassis = Elasmobranchii
ordo = Orectolobiformes
familia = Hemiscylliidae
genus = "Hemiscyllium"
species = "H. trispeculare"
range_

---

range_map_width = 200px
range_map_caption = Range of speckled carpetshark (in blue)
binomial = "Hemiscyllium trispeculare"
binomial_authority = Richardson, 1843

The speckled carpetshark, "Hemiscyllium trispeculare", is a bamboo shark in the family Hemiscylliidae found around northern Australia (including Western Australia), between latitudes 8° S and 22° S, and longitude 114° E and 152° E. Its length is up to 79 cm.

The speckled carpetshark is a little-known inshore bottom shark, found on coral reefs and in tide pools. It has a very long caudal fin with a subterminal notch but without a lower lobe. The body is covered with numerous, densely clustered dark, small and large spots that form a reticular network of light ground colour between them - darker crossbands are strong on the ventral surface of the tail. There is a large black epaulette spot with conspicuous white surrounding ring. The margins of the paired fins are black with white spots. It probably mainly feeds on benthic invertebrates.

Reproduction is oviparous.

ee also

* List of sharks
* Carpet shark

References

*
* Compagno, Dando, & Fowler, "Sharks of the World", Princeton University Press, New Jersey 2005 ISBN 0-691-12072-2