Eastern spotted gummy shark

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Eastern spotted gummy shark
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Superorder: Selachimorpha
Order: Carcharhiniformes
Family: Triakidae
Genus: Mustelus
Species:
M. walkeri
Binomial name
Mustelus walkeri
W. T. White & Last, 2008

The eastern spotted gummy shark (Mustelus walkeri) is a species of houndshark in the family Triakidae, found in Australian waters. It is a relatively large species.

Description

The eastern spotted gummy shark has tall dorsal fins, with its first dorsal-fin base being 1.6-2.0 times the anal-caudal space, and the insertion of anal-fin usually being over its apex. Juveniles have caudal fins with distinctive whitish posterior margins and the bases and inner lobes of their dorsal fins are not strongly contracted to the distal portion; the inner lobe is pale-edged. Its dorsal color is pale and grey, with numerous small white spots on the post-spiracular head and body. The light and dark tonal coloration borders on its head between the eye and the middle of the first gill slit. Its inter-gill membranes are much darker dorsally than ventrally.

It has a posterior margin that, as opposed to being upright distally, is directed posteroventrally from top to bottom. The long claspers of adult males are slender and strongly depressed, the inner length about 9-10% TL, extending to just anterior of the second dorsal-fin origin. The eastern spotted gummy shark's buccopharyngeal denticles cover the entire palate and floor of its mouth. Its spiracle is usually close to the level of its mid-eye.

It has about 69-73 teeth rows. It also has 78-94 precaudal verterbral centra and 35-39 monospondylous centra.

Related Research Articles

This glossary of ichthyology is a list of definitions of terms and concepts used in ichthyology, the study of fishes.

Blackspot shark Species of shark

The blackspot shark is a small species of requiem shark in the family Carcharhinidae found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific Ocean between latitudes 24°N and 30°S, from the surface to a depth around 40 m (130 ft). Its length is a little under one meter (yard) and it is not considered to be dangerous to humans. It feeds mainly on fish, crustaceans, and squid. This shark is also caught in small-scale fisheries for human consumption.

Australian weasel shark Species of shark

The Australian weasel shark is an uncommon species of ground shark in the family Hemigaleidae. It inhabits shallow waters off northern Australia to a depth of 170 m (560 ft); smaller sharks frequent sand and seagrass habitat and shift to coral reefs as they grow older. A slim, drab species reaching a length of 1.1 m (3.6 ft), it has sickle-shaped fins with dark tips on the second dorsal fin and caudal fin upper lobe. Its upper teeth are broad with strong serrations only on the trailing edge. The lateral line along each side is prominent and exhibits a downward curve below the second dorsal fin.

<i>Galeus</i> Genus of sharks

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Sharptooth houndshark Species of shark

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Speckled smooth-hound Species of shark

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Slender sawtail catshark Species of shark

The slender sawtail catshark is a little-known species of catshark, part of the family Scyliorhinidae, endemic to northern Australia. It is found over the continental slope in 290–470 m (950–1,540 ft) on water. Growing to 34 cm (13 in) long, this shark has a slim gray body with four dark saddle markings below the dorsal fins and on the caudal fin, as well as a prominent crest of enlarged dermal denticles along the dorsal edge of the caudal fin. The slender sawtail catshark is not valued by fisheries but is taken as bycatch. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) presently lacks enough information to assess its conservation status.

Southern sawtail catshark Species of shark

The southern sawtail catshark is a species of catshark, part of the family Scyliorhinidae, endemic to southern Brazil. It inhabits deepwater reefs on the upper continental slope at a depth of 236–600 m (774–1,969 ft). Reaching at least 43 cm (17 in) in length, this slim-bodied species closely resembles the Antilles catshark. It has a prominent crest of enlarged dermal denticles along the dorsal edge of the caudal fin, as well as a distinctive color pattern of dark oval blotches, outlined in white, along its back. The southern sawtail catshark is oviparous, with females producing reddish egg capsules. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed it as Vulnerable; it is often taken as bycatch and may be threatened by intensifying squid fishing.

Mouse catshark Species of shark

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Broadfin sawtail catshark Species of shark

The broadfin sawtail catshark is a common species of catshark, part of the family Scyliorhinidae. It is found on or near the bottom at depths of 150–540 m (490–1,770 ft), from southeastern Japan to the East China Sea. A slender species growing to 68 cm (27 in) long, this shark is characterized by a fairly long, pointed snout, a series of indistinct, dark saddles along its back and tail, and a prominent crest of enlarged dermal denticles along the dorsal edge of its caudal fin. In addition, adult males have very long claspers that reach past the anal fin. The broadfin sawtail catshark is an opportunistic predator of bony fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans, with immature and mature sharks being primarily piscivorous. It is oviparous and reproduces year-round.

Dwarf sawtail catshark Species of shark

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The speckled swellshark is a little-known species of catshark, and part of the family Scyliorhinidae, endemic to the waters off northwestern Australia. It occurs on the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope, at a depth of 150–455 m (492–1,493 ft). This species grows to 69 cm (27 in) long and has a stocky body and a short, broad, flattened head. As its common name suggests, its color pattern consists of many dark spots and white-spotted dark saddles and blotches on a light gray background. The juveniles are yellow with dark spots and lines, and a distinctive eyespot-like mark behind each eye. Like other swellsharks, this species can inflate itself as a defensive measure.

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<i>Clinus agilis</i> Species of marine fish

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References

  1. Kyne, P.M.; Rigby, C.L. (2016). "Mustelus walkeri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T195426A68634512. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T195426A68634512.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.