African angelshark
| African angelshark | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Division: | Selachii |
| Order: | Squatiniformes |
| Family: | Squatinidae |
| Genus: | Squatina |
| Species: | S. africana
|
| Binomial name | |
| Squatina africana Regan, 1908
| |
| File:Squatina africana distmap.png | |
| Range of African angelshark (in blue) | |
The African angelshark (Squatina africana) is an angelshark of the family Squatinidae.
Measurements
[edit | edit source]Born: 28–30 cm TL; Mature: ~ 80 cm (M), 90 cm (F) TL; Max: ~ 122 cm TL.
Identification
[edit | edit source]Color: Are a greyish or a reddish-brown, there are many light and dark spots, which are often large granular-centered ocelli in young fish. Obtains larger symmetrical dark bands or saddles, blotches on a broad, angular, high pectoral fins. It has a dark tail base, with white margins. Body: Has simple flat nasal barbels, with its tips tapering or spatulate. The anterior nasal flaps smooth or are slightly fringed. There are no angular lobes on lateral dermal flaps. Enlarged thorns on its head, and not back. Obtains a concave between its eyes.
Distribution and Range
[edit | edit source]Western Indian Ocean: found in east and southern Africa; South Africa to Mozambique, Tanzania and Madagascar, and possibly Somalia. Nominal west African records possibly based on another species. 4°S - 32°S.
Climate and habitat
[edit | edit source]Subtropical; continental shelf and upper slope, demersal, marine. Usually found in sand and mud. From surfing too? - 494 m, but usually occurs at 60–300 m down.
Behavior
[edit | edit source]Lies in wait buried underneath sand or mud to ambush its prey with lightning-fast reflexes and great precision.
Biology
[edit | edit source]Diet: Feeds on small bony fishes, squid and octopuses, and including shrimp. Reproduction: Is ovoviviparous and gives birth to at least 7 or 11 pups per litter.
Status
[edit | edit source]IUCN Red List: near threatened. It is common only on the east coast of South Africa. Trawl fishery bycatch.
Threat to humans
[edit | edit source]Traumatogenic.
Resilience and vulnerability
[edit | edit source]Very low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years; high vulnerability.
References
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