Narrowhead catshark
📖 Overview
Narrowhead catshark (Bythaelurus tenuicephalus) is a ray-finned fish of the family Scyliorhinidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in pelagic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 300 cm. It occurs at depths between 463 and 550 metres. With a trophic level of 3.3, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: slender head and snout, only slightly bell-shaped in dorsoventral view without distinct lateral indention (vs. distinctly bell-shaped snouts with a strong lateral indention anterior to outer nostrils); has broader claspers in adult males, the base width 2.1% TL (vs. 1.51.8% TL of congeners in the western Indian Ocean); further differs from B. clevai by having a smaller maximum size and a color pattern of fewer and smaller blotches, larger oral papillae, a shorter snout, and broader claspers without knob-like apex and with a smaller envelope and a subtriangular (vs. subrectangular) exorhipidion; differs from B. hispidus by having a longer snout, a longer dorsal-caudal space, broader clasper without knob-like apex, and fewer vertebral centra; differs from B. lutarius by having a smaller maximum size and has a blotched (vs. largely plain) coloration, numerous (vs. lacking) oral papillae, shorter anterior nasal flaps, a longer caudal fin, a shorter pelvic anal space, and shorter and broader claspers .: other (see remarks); Cross section: angular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Narrowhead catshark is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 463 - 550 m . Tropical Indian Ocean: off Tanzania and Mozambique.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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