Apristurus yangi

Apristurus yangi
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Subclass:	Elasmobranchii
Order:	Carcharhiniformes
Family:	Pentanchidae
Genus:	Apristurus
Species:	A. yangi
Binomial name
Apristurus yangi White, Mana & Naylor, 2017

Apristurus yangi, or Yang's longnose catshark, is a type of deepwater catshark found exclusively in the waters of Papua New Guinea. ^{[2] [1]} It is identified from just a single female specimen ever caught in the region mentioned. ^[2]

Description

This catshark has several distinguishing characteristics, such as long slender head, very elongated snout, wide mouth, large anal fin, blackish snout tip, and absence of enlarged denticles on the caudal fin. ^[2] The only specimen ever collected, which is an adult pregnant female, has a maximum total length of 43.7 cm. The egg case is around 6 cm long and has vague longitudinal striations. ^[2]

Distribution and habitat

This species is believed to inhabit the Bismarck Archipelago, north-east of Papua New Guinea. ^{[2] [1]} It might live in the depths of 630–786 m. ^[2]

There are currently no documented deepwater fisheries in the region, making this catshark not prone to any threats, and its population remains stable. ^[1]

References

1. IUCN (21 November 2019). Apristurus yangi: Sherman, C.S. & Cheok, J.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T162209907A162209939 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
2. White, William T.; Mana, Ralph R.; Naylor, Gavin J. P. (14 September 2017). "Description of a new species of deepwater catshark Apristurus yangi n.sp (Carcharhiniformes: Pentanchidae) from Papua New Guinea". Zootaxa. 4320 (1): 25–40. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4320.1.2. ISSN   1175-5334.