Family: |
Pentanchidae (Deepwater catsharks) |
Max. size: |
51.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 301.3 g |
Environment: |
pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 200 - 1000 m |
Distribution: |
Western Indian Ocean: South Africa. |
Diagnosis: |
This relatively large species is distinguished by the following characters: denticles on dorsal midline greatly enlarged from snout to second dorsal origin; denticles on pectoral fin dorsal surface greatly enlarged in adults; no club-shaped papillae on the distal tip of the clasper; buccal papillae in mouth large and prominent on upper and lower surfaces; moderate vertebral count, 124 total vertebrae in the holotype (123 total in paratype, mean 117.8); relatively high tooth counts, 65 total upper teeth in the holotype (66 in the paratype, mean 66.3), 70 total lower teeth in the holotype (58 in paratype, mean 60.3); covered in irregularly shaped spots and reticulations on a brown background, resembling a honeycomb pattern; white spots rarely present, if present, are inconspicuous (Ref. 75585). |
Biology: |
|
IUCN Red List Status: |
Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 01 August 2019 (A2d) Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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