| Family: |
Dalatiidae (Sleeper sharks) |
| Max. size: |
29 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 502 m |
| Distribution: |
Southeast Atlantic: near Ascension Island. Western Indian Ocean: Durban, Natal, South Africa. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. A cylindrical, dwarf dogfish shark with a long bulbous snout, small round eyes, and small gill slits; caudal fin paddle-shaped (Ref. 5578). Dark brown with conspicuous light-edged fins (Ref. 5578). Ventral surface covered with minute photophores (Ref. 6577). |
| Biology: |
Probably oceanic (Ref. 5578). The holotype was caught off a beach, but a second specimen was taken in the Atlantic at night between the surface and 502 m (Ref. 247). Food unknown but may subsist on pelagic fish and invertebrates (Ref. 247). Probably ovoviviparous with very few young (Ref. 247). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 April 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
| Country info: |
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