Whitecheek shark

📖 Overview

A common but little-known shark found on the continental and insular inshore areas . Feeds mainly on fishes but also on cephalopods, and crustaceans . Viviparous , with a yolk-sac placenta; gives birth to litters of 1-4 (usually 2) pups . Pregnant females (79-100.7 cm TL) that were caught contained 2-5 late-term embryos between 32-38.7 cm TL, thus birth size is presumed to be around 37-39 cm TL. From more than 1000 market specimens (in Kuwait, Qatar and Abu Dhabi), size of males and females range from 36-85 cm TL and 36-100.7 cm TL, respectively, with males reaching maturity between 63-80 cm TL . Taken in artisanal and small-scale commercial fisheries and marketed for human consumption . Fins also utilized .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Vertebrae: 113 - 129. This small species is distinguished by the following characters: snout relatively long and narrowly rounded to almost pointed; upper anterior teeth are oblique and blade-like, coarsely serrated, with lateral margin deeply notched and with several large and serrated basal cusplets; lower anterior teeth are narrower, slightly oblique, lateral margins notched and usually without large basal serrae, finely serrated; total tooth row counts 27-29/24-30, or 52-59; interdorsal space often without a ridge, 17.9-20.8% TL; first dorsal fin relatively low and not falcate, origin over middle of pectoral-fin inner margin, length 14.3-16.2% TL, 1.4-1.6 times height, inner margin 2.2-2.5 in base; second dorsal fin is much smaller, broadly triangular, height 32-37% of first dorsal-fin height, origin about opposite anal fin origin; anal fin is slightly falcate, height 1.0-1.2 times second dorsal-fin height, base 0.9-1.1 times second dorsal fin base; body colour pale brownish dorsally, whitish ventrally; second dorsal fin with a black blotch on upper third of fin, not extending onto upper surface of body and very well defined from ground colour, while other fins mostly plain; total vertebral counts 123-138; monospondylous precaudal counts 42-48; diplospondylous precaudal counts 20; diplospondylous caudal counts 59-70; precaudal counts 62-68 .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Whitecheek shark is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Whitecheek shark is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Viviparous, placental . With 2 to 4 pups in a litter; 37-38 cm at birth . Both male and females mature at about 70 cm . Distinct pairing with embrace . No distinct seasonal reproductive cycle apparent, instead continuously breeding with most mature females pregnant or spent at any one time.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 100 m . Tropical; 30°N - 5°N, 49°E - 84°E east the Persian Gulf to India.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Whitecheek shark is an edible species."

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked — Source: USDA FoodData Central

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Whitecheek shark has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 5 records indexed .

👥 Community & Contribute