Bighead spurdog

📖 Overview

Bighead spurdog (Squalus bucephalus) is a ray-finned fish of the family Squalidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in pelagic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 90 cm. It occurs at depths between 448 and 880 metres. With a trophic level of 4.1, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

This large, broad-headed species of the 'megalops-cubensis group' is distinguished by the following set of characters: head width at mouth 12.1-13.5% TL; mouth width 2.2-2.7 times its horizontal prenarial length; direct pre-second dorsal length 3.9-4.0 times the pectoral-fin anterior margin, 2.7 times dorsal caudal margin; preoral length 2.7-3.1 times the horizontal prenarial length, 9.2-10.5% TL; strongly bifurcated anterior nasal flap; low and raked first dorsal fin; exposed bases of dorsal-fin spines are broad, 0.7-0.8% TL; both dorsal fins with short inner margins, first dorsal-fin height 1.4-1.5 times its inner margin length, second dorsal-fin height 0.8-1.0 times its inner margin length; pectoral-fin anterior margin 1.8-2.0 times its inner margin length; preventral caudal margin 1.8-2.2 times the inner margin of pelvic fin; dorsal fins with dark distal portion, posterior margin of free rear tip pale; caudal fin upper posterior margin broadly white, lower lobe with dark base and pale outer half, no caudal bar; flank denticles unicuspid or weakly tricuspid; monospondylous centra 45, precaudal centra 86-89, total centra 113-118 .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Bighead spurdog is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

Distinct pairing with embrace .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 448 - 880 m . Tropical

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute