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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🌡️ Tropical

Australian weasel shark

Hemigaleus australiensis White, Last & Compagno, 2005
Max Length
110 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
Trophic Level
4.4
Depth
12–170 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Vulnerability
47.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

A predominantly demersal species on continental and insular shelves from shallow, inshore bays down to 170 meters. Sexual maturity of males reached at about 60 cm TL; females between 60 - 65 cm TL; with young are born at about 30 cm TL .

Scientific Name
Hemigaleus australiensis
Authority
White, Last & Compagno, 2005
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
110 cm
Depth Range
12–170 m
Trophic Level
4.4
Vulnerability
47.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Diagnosis: Medium-sized shark with moderately long head; dorsal fins slightly raked back, moderately or not falcate, moderately low; height of first dorsal fin 2.6-3 in head length (HL); length of first dorsal fin 2.1-2.4 times its height; caudal-fin upper lobe moderately broad, not elongate; caudal-fin ventral lobe short, preventral margin 9.3-9.8% TL; pectoral fins broad, falcate, base length 2.1-2.4 in preventral caudal margin; claspers of adults moderately short, inner length 5.4-5.6% TL, 1.8-1.8 in pelvic midpoint to first dorsal-fin insertion; teeth in 28-30/46-52 rows; precaudal vertebral centra 65-70, total vertebral centra 112-121; second dorsal fin with a conspicuous dark tip; first dorsal fin with a pale posterior margin . : elongated; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Australian weasel shark is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Australian weasel shark is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
62.5cm TL

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 12 - 170 m . Tropical Indian Ocean to Western Pacific: Australia and where records from Papua New Guinea need to be confirmed.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
4.4±0.1

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00309 × L3.07 (TL)
Max TL
110cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2015

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
47.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.4
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
White, Last & Compagno, 2005

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