Shortbelly catshark

📖 Overview

Maximum size of females is unknown. Smallest paratype (33.7 cm TL) with short and soft claspers of 2.5% TL, ranked as immature (maturity stage 1); while holotype and other paratypes (43.2-47.7 cm TL) with long, fully developed claspers (5.8-8.1% TL), ranked as mature (maturity stage 3) .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

This species of the ‘brunneus group’ of Apristurus is distinguished by the following characters: upper labial furrows distinctly longer than lower ones; first dorsal fin much smaller than second dorsal fin, originating distinctly posterior to level of pelvic-fin insertion; second dorsal-fin insertion clearly anterior to level of anal-fin insertion; snout moderately long, with pointed tip; pre-outer nostril length slightly greater than internarial width, about 0.6-0.8 times interorbital width; very short abdomen; pectoral-pelvic space much shorter than anal-fin base length; pectoral-fin tip posterior to level of midpoint of pectoral-pelvic space; spiral valves 17-19; monospondylous 33-36 and precaudal diplospondylous vertebrae 34-38; dermal denticles small giving a velvety texture to body surface; no enlarged dermal denticles along dorsal margin of caudal fin; claspers without hooks, posterior margin of exorhipidion forming a free lobe; colour of body and fins uniformly medium or dark brown .: elongated; Cross section: circular.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Shortbelly catshark is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 1000 - 1120 m . Tropical Indian Ocean: Gulf of Aden, off Socotra Islands.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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