Tropical izak

Taxobox
name = Tropical izak
status = DD
status_system = IUCN3.1
trend =


image_caption =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Chondrichthyes
subclassis = Elasmobranchii
ordo = Carcharhiniformes
familia = Scyliorhinidae
genus = Holohalaelurus
species = "H. melanostigma"
binomial = "Holohalaelurus melanostigma"
binomial_authority = Norman 1939

The tropical izak, "Holohalaelurus melanostigma", is a very rare cat shark of the family Scyliorhinidae, found in the western Indian Ocean off Mozambique and Tanzania, at depths of between 600 and 660 m. Its length is up to 38 cm. The tropical izak has a broad head, short snout and long mouth, with short dorsal fins and angular slender tail. The denticles on the middle of the back are rough and enlarged.

Coloration is small black dots closely set on a background that is grey-brown above and lighter below. The upper surface also has many large dark brown spots, some fused to form reticulations, blotches and horizontal stripes. There are 'tear marks' on the snout in front of the eyes, and dark lines and dark C-shaped marks on the bases of the dorsal fins.

ee also

* List of sharks

References

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