Sawback angelshark


The sawback angelshark is an angelshark of the family Squatinidae

Measurements

Mature ~ 100.0–124 cm TL; Max ~ 188 cm TL.

Appearance

Color: Are a dull grey to a light brown on back that has scarcely scattered with small irregular white spots and also with regular small dark brownish spots. No ocelli. Obtains dark blotches on head, back, the fin bases and tail. Body: Obtains large thorns atop its head in a row down its back. Has concave between eye, eye spiracle distance <1.5 x eye length. Has heavily fringed nasal barbels and including anterior nasal flaps.

Distribution and range

Eastern Atlantic: western Mediterranean, Morocco, Senegal, Guinea to Nigeria, then Gabon to Angola. 43°N - 19°S, 18°W - 30°E.

Climate and habitat

Subtropical; offshore species, outer continental shelf and upper slope, demersal, marine. Usually found on muddy bottoms. down.

Behavior

As with other angelsharks, the sawback angelshark is a bottom-dweller that tries to camouflage at the bottom of the ocean in order to ambush and capture its prey.

Biology

Diet: feeds on small sharks, bony fishes, cuttlefish, and crustaceans. Reproduction: are ovoviviparous.

Status

Threat to humans

Sawback angelshark may be dangerous to humans if disturbed.

Resilience &; vulnerability

Low, minimum population doubling time: 4.5–14 years; high to very high vulnerability.