Manocherian's catshark

📖 Overview

Manocherian's catshark (Apristurus manocheriani), first described by Cordova & Ebert, 2021 is a large fish in the family Pentanchidae (order Carcharhiniformes). Adults typically reach 55.80 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 89 to 1300 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

This species in the spongiceps subgroup of Apristurus, is distinguished from all its congeners by the following set of characteris: an overall uniformly whitish 'porcelain' colored body with lighter colored anal and caudal-fin margins; a distinct white spot on tail tip (vs. a uniform dark brown to grayish, or blackish, body colouration, variably with blotches, flecks, spots, or squiggles, in all other spongiceps subgroup species, except A. albisoma and A. aphyodes with similar light coloration, but subtle differences); clasper hooks present (vs. absent); oral papillae absent or sparsely covering oral cavity roof (vs. distinct and densely covering oral cavity roof); dorsal caudal margin with widely spaced, non-overlapping dermal denticles (vs. closely spaced, overlapping denticles); lower tooth counts, 46-57 in upper jaw and 44-50 in lower jaw (vs. 56-71 and 49-70 respectively) .Cross section: angular.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Manocherian's catshark is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 89 - 1300 m . Tropical Southwest Indian Ocean: southern end of the Madagascar ridge at Walters Shoal.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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