Squatina punctata
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| Squatina punctata Marini, 1936 |
Squatina punctata, is an angel shark of the family Squatinidae found in the southwest Atlantic from southern Brazil to Argentina, at depths of from 10 to 80 m. Its length is up to 91 cm.
The little-known Squatina punctata is found on the continental shelves. The nasal barbels have expanded, slightly spatulate, unfringed tips. The anterior nasal flaps are weakly fringed, and the head is broadly concave between the eyes. There are short stout thorns in symmetrical groups on the snout and between the eyes, and a pair between the spiracles. There is a median dorsal row of spines.
Coloration is a uniform dark tan above, pale below. The dorsal surface has small irregular dark spots, with a regular pattern of several small to largish blackish spots, and no ocelli.
Reproduction is ovoviviparous, with 3 to 8 pups per litter.
It is fished for off the South American coast, and is in serious decline in southern Brazil.
[edit] References
- "Squatina punctata". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. July 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
- Compagno, Dando, & Fowler, Sharks of the World, Princeton University Press, New Jersey 2005 ISBN 0-691-12072-2
