Draughtsboard shark

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iDraughtsboard shark
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Order: Carcharhiniformes
Family: Scyliorhinidae
Genus: Cephaloscyllium
Species: C. isabellum
Binomial name
Cephaloscyllium isabellum
(Bonnaterre, 1788)

The draughtsboard swellshark, Cephaloscyllium isabellum, is a catshark of the family Scyliorhinidae found in the southwest Pacific Ocean endemic to New Zealand, at depths of between 18 and 220 m. It grows to about 1 m in length, and can expand its body by taking in air or water to make it appear larger to predators.

The draughtsboard swellshark is found in crevices and caves of rocky reefs during the day, but may move to adjacent sandy areas at night, and feeds on fishes and invertebrates. Adults segregate by sex.

Reproduction is oviparous.

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