Morphology Data of Squatina japonica
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Compagno, L.J.V. and V.H. Niem, 1998
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral other
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales placoid scales
Diagnosis

Japanese angelshark Squatina japonica has broad pectoral fins with rounded free rear tips, posterior margin nearly straight, inner margin strongly convex; nasal barbels simple and spatulate. Anterior nasal flaps smooth to weakly fringed; dermal folds on sides of head without lobes. Rear tip of inner margin of pelvic fins considerably anterior to origin of first dorsal; very short hypocercal tail. Rows of moderately large spines on midline of back and tail from head to dorsal fins and between fin bases, and on snout and above eyes. Body color blackish brown with small dark and pale spots; no ocelli (eye-like spot) (Ref. 247, 31369, 12951).

Ease of Identification likely to be confused with closely related species.

Meristic characteristics of Squatina japonica

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 2
Finlets No. Dorsal   0 - 0
Ventral  0 - 0
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 0 - 0
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes other (see remark); asymmetric

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 0 - 0

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  other (see diagnosis)
Spines     0
Soft-rays   0 - 0
Pelvics Attributes  other (see diagnosis)
Position    abdominal  before origin of D1
Spines     0
Soft-rays   0 - 0
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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