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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Subtropical 🎣 Game Fish

Atlantic sharpnose shark

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Richardson, 1836
Max Length
110 cm
Max Weight
7.3 kg
Lifespan
10 yrs
Trophic Level
4.4
Depth
0–280 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
50.00/100
Typical Length
70 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Reaches at least 103 cm TL . Abundant in the continental shelves, from the intertidal to deeper waters. Often occurs close to the surf zone off sandy beaches, and also enclosed bays, sounds, and harbors, in estuaries and river mouths. Feeds on small bony fishes, shrimps, crabs, segmented worms and mollusks (gastropod feet). Viviparous, with 1 to 7 young in a litter . Size at birth about 29 to 37 cm. Utilized for human consumption. Minimum depth from Ref. 055195.

Scientific Name
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Authority
Richardson, 1836
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
110 cm
Max Weight
7.3 kg
Lifespan
10 years
Depth Range
0–280 m
Latitude
25°S – 43°N
Trophic Level
4.4
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
50.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Small, generally gray, streamlined shark, with long pointed snout. Posterior margin of anal fin straight or slightly concave. Second dorsal fin origin well behind anal fin origin .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Atlantic sharpnose shark is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Atlantic sharpnose shark is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Viviparous 🤰 Viviparous
Size at Maturity
87.5cm TL

Distinct pairing with embrace . Viviparous, placental . 1 to 7 young per litter. Larger females carry more young. Size at birth 29-37 cm. Gestation period is 10 to 11 months in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Sex ratio of near term fetuses is 1:1 .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 0 - 280 m , usually 0 - 10 m . Subtropical; 43°N - 25°S, 100°W - 32°W Southwest Atlantic: coasts of Brazil.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
4.4±0.5
Food Items

small bony fishes, shrimps, crabs, segmented worms and mollusks (gastropod feet)

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00417 × L3 (TL)
Max TL
110cm
Max Weight
7,300g

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Very low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
50.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.4
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Latitude Range
43°N – 25°S
Described By
Richardson, 1836

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Atlantic sharpnose shark
🇫🇷French Requin à nez pointu
🇪🇸Spanish cazón de ley · cazón de playa

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Rhizoprionodon terraenova Richardson 1836 Synonym
Scoliodon terraenovae Richardson 1836 Synonym
Squalus terraenovae Richardson 1836 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 58 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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