Wobbegong

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Wobbegong
Temporal range: Upper Jurassic–Recent
Wobbegong.jpg
Spotted wobbegong, Orectolobus maculatus,
showing the camouflage pattern and skin flaps typical of wobbegongs
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Order: Orectolobiformes
Family: Orectolobidae
T. N. Gill, 1896
Genera

Eucrossorhinus
Orectolobus
Sutorectus

Wobbegong is the common name given to the 12 species of carpet sharks in the family Orectolobidae. They are found in shallow temperate and tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean and eastern Indian Ocean, chiefly around Australia and Indonesia, although one species (the Japanese wobbegong, Orectolobus japonicus) occurs as far north as Japan. The word wobbegong is believed to come from an Australian Aboriginal language, meaning "shaggy beard", referring to the growths around the mouth of the shark of the western Pacific.

Contents

Description

Wobbegongs are bottom-dwelling sharks, spending much of their time resting on the sea floor. Most species have a maximum length of 1.25 m (4.1 ft), but the largest, the spotted wobbegong, Orectolobus maculatus, and banded wobbegong, O. halei, reach about 3 m (9.8 ft) in length.

Wobbegongs are well camouflaged with a symmetrical pattern of bold markings which resembles a carpet. Because of this striking pattern, wobbegongs and their close relatives are often referred to as carpet sharks. The camouflage is improved by the presence of small weed-like whisker lobes [1] surrounding the wobbegong's jaw, which help to camouflage it and act as sensory barbs. Wobbegongs make use of their camouflage to hide among rocks and catch smaller fish which swim too close, typical of ambush predators. Wobbegongs also have a powerful jaw with needle-like teeth that assist in catching reef fish and other sharks for food. The blood cells of several species of wobbegong have also been described. [2]

Interaction with humans

Wobbegongs are generally not considered dangerous to humans, [3] but have attacked swimmers, snorkelers, and scuba divers who inadvertently come close to them. [3] The Australian Shark Attack File contains more than 50 records of unprovoked attacks by wobbegongs, [3] and the International Shark Attack File 31 records, [4] none of them fatal. Wobbegongs have also bitten surfers. [5] Wobbegongs are very flexible and can easily bite a hand holding onto their tail. [6] They have many small but sharp teeth and their bite can be severe, even through a wetsuit; having once bitten, they have been known to hang on and can be very difficult to remove. [7]

In Australia, wobbegong skin is used to make leather. [8]

Captivity

Although most wobbegong species are unsuitable for home aquaria due to their large adult size, this has not stopped some of the larger species from being sold in the aquarium trade. [9] Small wobbegong species, such as the tasselled wobbegong and Ward's wobbegong, are "ideal" sharks for home aquarists to keep because they are an appropriate size and are lethargic, enabling them to be accommodated within the limited space of a home tank, although they will consume tankmates, even quite large ones. [9] Some aquarists, by contrast, see the lack of activity to be a drawback to keeping wobbegongs, and prefer more active sharks. [9] Wobbegongs are largely nocturnal and, due to their slow metabolism, do not have to be fed as often as other sharks. Most do well on two feedings weekly. Underfed wobbegongs can be recognised by visibly atrophied dorsal musculature. [9]

Genera and species

Orectolobus leptolineatus Orectolobus leptolineatus alor.jpg
Orectolobus leptolineatus

The 12 living species of wobbegong, in three genera, are: [10]

Fossil genera include:

Conservation status

Conservation status of extant wobbegong species
SpeciesCommon name(s)IUCN Red List statusPopulation trendReference
Eucrossorhinus dasypogon Tasselled wobbegongLeast concernUnknown [13]
Orectolobus floridus Floral banded wobbegongLeast concernUnknown [14]
Orectolobus halei Gulf wobbegong, banded wobbegongLeast concernStable [15]
Orectolobus hutchinsi Western wobbegongLeast concernUnknown [16]
Orectolobus japonicus Japanese wobbegongData deficientUnknown [17]
Orectolobus leptolineatus Indonesian wobbegongNear ThreatenedUnknown [18]
Orectolobus maculatus Spotted wobbegongLeast concernUnknown [19]
Orectolobus ornatus Ornate wobbegongLeast concernUnknown [20]
Orectolobus parvimaculatus Dwarf spotted wobbegongLeast concernUnknown [21]
Orectolobus reticulatus Network wobbegongData deficientUnknown [22]
Orectolobus wardi Northern wobbegongLeast concernUnknown [23]
Sutorectus tentaculatus Cobbler wobbegongLeast concernUnknown [24]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carpet shark</span> Order of sharks

Carpet sharks are sharks classified in the order Orectolobiformes. Sometimes the common name "carpet shark" is used interchangeably with "wobbegong", which is the common name of sharks in the family Orectolobidae. Carpet sharks have five gill slits, two spineless dorsal fins, and a small mouth that does not extend past the eyes. Many species have barbels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cobbler wobbegong</span> Species of shark

The cobbler wobbegong is a carpet shark in the family Orectolobidae, the only member of the genus Sutorectus. It is found in the subtropical eastern Indian Ocean around Western Australia between latitudes 26° S and 35° S. It is frequently found in rocky and coral reef areas. Cobbler wobbegongs reach a length of 92 cm. It has unbranched dermal lobes on the head, rows of warty tubercles along the back and black spots on the body and fins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tasselled wobbegong</span> Species of shark

The tasselled wobbegong is a species of carpet shark in the family Orectolobidae and the only extant member of the genus Eucrossorhinus. It inhabits shallow coral reefs off northern Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands. Reaching 1.8 m (5.9 ft) in length, this species has a broad and flattened body and head. Its most distinctive trait is a fringe of branching dermal flaps around its head, which extends onto its chin. The fringe, along with its complex color pattern of small blotches and reticulations, enable it to camouflage itself against the reef environment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Japanese wobbegong</span> Species of shark

The Japanese wobbegong is a carpet shark in the family Orectolobidae of the wobbegong family, found in the tropical western Pacific Ocean from Japan and Korea to Vietnam and the Philippines, between latitudes 43 and 6°N. It reaches a length of 1 m. Japanese wobbegong sharks typically remain motionless during the daytime and are not active hunters. They use camouflage and their electroreceptor pores on their dorsal area to help them sense prey nearby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spotted wobbegong</span> Species of shark

The spotted wobbegong is a carpet shark in the family Orectolobidae, endemic to Australia. It is a large, robust species, typically reaching 150–180 centimetres (59–71 in) in length. Coloured green, yellow, or brown, it has distinctive O-shaped spots throughout its body. It is nocturnal, resting at day and feeding on fish and invertebrates at night. An ovoviviparous species, the spotted wobbegong gives birth in the spring, during which time males can act aggressively towards other males and females. It has been known to bite humans, sometimes unprovoked, which can produce severe wounds. The species is fished commercially in Australia, but it is not severely threatened. It is listed as a least-concern species on the IUCN Red List.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ornate wobbegong</span> Species of shark

The ornate wobbegong is a species of carpet shark that lives in Australia and possibly other countries in the Western Pacific Ocean. It is coloured golden brown, yellow-green and blueish-grey, and it grows to maximum 120 centimetres (3.9 ft). Described by Charles Walter De Vis in 1883, it is similar in appearance to other Australian wobbegongs and has previously been classified as the same species as the Gulf wobbegong. It is a nocturnal species, hunting at night, and it can bite humans when disturbed. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed it as a least-concern species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern wobbegong</span> Species of shark

The northern wobbegong is a carpet shark in the family Orectolobidae, found in the western Pacific Ocean around Australia, between latitudes 9° S to 26° S. It reaches a length of 63 cm.

<i>Orectolobus hutchinsi</i> Species of shark

Orectolobus hutchinsi, the western wobbegong, is a species of carpet shark in the family Orectolobidae. The western wobbegong shark is a moderate sized marine shark found off the coast of Western Australia. Its scientific name is Orectolobus hutchinsi, and it was first identified in 1983 by Dr. Barry Hutchins, but was only recently classified, described, and published in 2006. O. hutchinsi is found on the shallow continental shelf in Western Australia from Coral Bay to Groper Bluff. This species is distinct from other wobbegong sharks because the western wobbegong shark has a yellowish brown upper body and darker brown saddles on their backs. Unlike other wobbegong sharks from the same area, the western wobbegong shark does not have white rings or blotches on their backs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gulf wobbegong</span> Species of shark

The Gulf wobbegong or banded wobbegong is a species of carpet shark in the family Orectolobidae, found in southern Australia between Southport, Queensland and Norwegian Bay, Western Australia.

<i>Orectolobus</i> Genus of sharks

Orectolobus is a genus of carpet sharks in the family Orectolobidae. They are commonly known as wobbegongs, although this name also applies to the other members of the family. They are found in shallow temperate and tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean and eastern Indian Ocean, chiefly around Australia and Indonesia, although one species occurs as far north as Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dwarf spotted wobbegong</span> Species of shark

The dwarf spotted wobbegong is a carpet shark in the family Orectolobidae, described in 2008. It is found at depths of 9 to 135 metres off south-western Australia. It reaches a total length of 88.5 centimetres (34.8 in).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Floral banded wobbegong</span> Species of shark

The floral banded wobbegong is a recently described species of carpet shark found in the Indian Ocean, at depths of 42 to 85 meters, off southwestern Australia. With a maximum length of up to 75 cm (30 in), it is among the smallest wobbegongs. The physical characteristics consist of a striking color pattern of yellowish-brown bands, blotches, spots, and reticulations.

<i>Orectolobus reticulatus</i> Species of shark

Orectolobus reticulatus, the network wobbegong, is a recently described species of carpet shark found in relatively shallow waters off Kimberley and Darwin in north-western Australia. With a known maximum length of only 52.3 centimetres (20.6 in), it may be the smallest species of wobbegong. Until its description in 2008, it had been confused with the northern wobbegong. The network wobbegong has a short snout, broad head, elongated body, and two dorsal fins, with the first being slightly larger than the second. Its body is grayish brown with darker brown markings and a pale yellow underbelly. The network wobbegong lives in shallow waters along reefy bottoms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western gulper shark</span> Species of fish

The western gulper shark is a species of squaliform shark discovered in 2008. The species had previously been identified as a variant of the dumb gulper shark, however was differentiated based on morphology. The western gulper is known from the waters of Western Australia, as well as Indonesia, East Timor, and islands in the Southern Indian Ocean. This shark is classified as "least concern" by the IUCN.

References

  1. ↑ "Wobbegongs - five species encountered in Queensland". Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries. 2009-03-02. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 2009-06-14.
  2. ↑ Old JM, Huveneers C (2006). Morphology of the blood cells from three species of wobbegong sharks (Orectolobus species) on the East Coast of N. S. W. Zoo Biology. 25(1), 72–83. DOI: 10.1002/zoo.20079
  3. 1 2 3 John G. West (2011). "Changing patterns of shark attacks in Australian waters" (PDF). Marine and Freshwater Research. 62 (6): 744–754. doi:10.1071/MF10181.
  4. ↑ "Species Implicated in Attacks - International Shark Attack File" . Retrieved 2018-04-06.
  5. ↑ "Shark attack victim Kirra-Bella Olsson, 13, 'laughed' after ankle and calf were mauled by a wobbegong". The Daily Telegraph. 2014-10-18. Retrieved 2014-10-19.
  6. ↑ Kuiter, Rudie (1999). Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia (amended ed.). New Holland Publishers (Aust.) Pty Ltd. p. 12. ISBN   1-86436-091-7.
  7. ↑ "Shark sinks its teeth in for the long haul". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2004-02-12. Retrieved 2006-06-14.
  8. ↑ Debra A. Rose; International Traffic Network (1 December 1996). An overview of world trade in sharks and other cartilaginous fishes. TRAFFIC International. ISBN   978-1-85850-114-7.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Michael, Scott W. (March 2004). "Sharks at Home". Aquarium Fish Magazine. pp. 20–29.
  10. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Family Orectolobidae". FishBase . January 2009 version.
  11. ↑ Huveneers (2006). "Redescription of two species of wobbegongs (Chondrichthyes: Orectolobidae) with elevation of Orectolobus halei Whitley 1940 to species level" (PDF). Zootaxa. 1284: 29–51. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1284.1.2.
  12. ↑ Last, Chidlow & Compagno (2006). "A new wobbegong shark, Orectolobus hutchinsi n. sp. (Orectolobiformes: Orectolobidae) from southwestern Australia" (PDF). Zootaxa. 1239: 35–48. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1239.1.3.
  13. ↑ Charlie Huveneers; Richard Pillans (2015-02-18). "Eucrossorhinus dasypogon". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015-02-18: e.T41873A68623121. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T41873A68623121.en . Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  14. ↑ Charlie Huveneers; Rory McAuley (2015-02-18). "Orectolobus floridus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015-02-18: e.T161664A68638011. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T161664A68638011.en . Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  15. ↑ Charlie Huveneers; David Pollard; Ian Gordon; Anthony Flaherty; John Pogonoski (2015-03-23). "Orectolobus halei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015-03-23: e.T161709A68638176. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T161709A68638176.en . Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  16. ↑ Charlie Huveneers; Rory McAuley (2015-02-18). "Orectolobus hutchinsi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015-02-18: e.T42717A68638402. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T42717A68638402.en . Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  17. ↑ Rigby, C.L.; Bin Ali, A.; Bineesh, K.K.; Chen, X.; Derrick, D.; Dharmadi Ebert, D.A.; Fahmi, Fernando, D.; Gautama, D.A.; Haque, A.B.; Ho, H.; Hsu, H.; Maung, A.; Vo, V.Q.; Sianipar, A.; Tanay, D.; Utzurrum, J.A.T.; Yuneni, R.R. & Zhang, J. (2020). "Orectolobus japonicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T161563A124507360. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T161563A124507360.en . Retrieved 10 August 2023.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ↑ Dulvy, N.K.; Bin Ali, A.; Derrick, D.; Fahmi, Utzurrum, J.A.T.; Yuneni, R.R. (2021). "Orectolobus leptolineatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T176486152A176486163. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T176486152A176486163.en . Retrieved 10 August 2023.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. ↑ Charlie Huveneers; David Pollard; Ian Gordon; Anthony Flaherty; John Pogonoski (2015-03-23). "Orectolobus maculatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015-03-23: e.T41837A68638559. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T41837A68638559.en . Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  20. ↑ Charlie Huveneers; David Pollard; Ian Gordon; Anthony Flaherty; John Pogonoski (2015-02-20). "Orectolobus ornatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015-02-20: e.T41838A68638906. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T41838A68638906.en . Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  21. ↑ Charlie Huveneers; Rory McAuley (2015-02-18). "Orectolobus parvimaculatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015-02-18: e.T161651A68639242. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T161651A68639242.en . Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  22. ↑ Shannon Corrigan; Charlie Huveneers (2015-02-18). "Orectolobus reticulatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015-02-18: e.T195439A68639415. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T195439A68639415.en . Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  23. ↑ Charlie Huveneers; Shannon Corrigan; Richard Pillans (2015-02-19). "Orectolobus wardi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015-02-19: e.T41839A68639575. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T41839A68639575.en . Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  24. ↑ Charlie Huveneersersity); Colin Simpfendorfer (2015-02-18). "Sutorectus tentaculatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015-02-18: e.T41864A68646166. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T41864A68646166.en . Retrieved 2020-07-06.

Tasselled wobbegong. Oceana. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://oceana.org/marine-life/sharks-rays/tasselled-wobbegong.

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