Holohalaelurus punctatus (African spotted catshark)

(Gilchrist, 1914)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates)  > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) >.Chondrichthyes > Elasmobranchii > Galeomorphii > Carcharhiniformes > Scyliorhinidae

Holohalaelurus punctatus (African spotted catshark) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A broad-headed catshark with small dark brown close-set spots on a yellow-brown or orange-brown background, small black pores on underside of head and body, and no labial furrows.

Size

To 34 cm TL.

Range

Recorded once off Cape Point, but normally from off Natal and southern Mozambique; this or a related species occurs off Madagascar, Kenya and Tanzania.

Habitat

Upper slope near bottom at 220-420 m.

Biology

Common off Natal. Lays one egg per oviduct. Eats small bony fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods.

Human Impact

None.

Text by Leonard J.V. Compagno, David A. Ebert and Malcolm J. Smale