Australian angelshark
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| Australian angelshark | ||||||||||||||||
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| Squatina australis Regan, 1906 |
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 Range of Australian angelshark (in blue)
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The Australian angelshark, Squatina australis, is an angel shark of the family Squatinidae found in the subtropical waters of southern Australia from Western Australia to New South Wales between latitudes 18° S and 41° S, at depths down to 255 m (840 ft). Its length is up to 1.52 m (5 ft).
The Australian angelshark is a common but little-known angelshark found on the continental shelf and uppermost slope, on or near the bottom. It has greatly enlarged pectoral fins with broad triangular lobes extending forward from their bases on either side of the gill slits. The pelvic fins are enlarged and wing-like, and the caudal fin is very short. The head is flat or convex between the eyes and the spiracles are small. Enlarged denticles on the snout, head, and multiple rows on the back ahead of the first dorsal fin, are lost in adults.
Coloration is greyish-brown with dense white spots and small darker brown spots. All fins are white-edged.
Reproduction is ovoviviparous, with up to 20 pups in a litter.
[edit] References
- "Squatina australis". 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
