False catshark

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False catshark

Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Order: Carcharhiniformes
Family: Pseudotriakidae
Genus: Pseudotriakis
Species: P. microdon
Binomial name
Pseudotriakis microdon
Capello, 1867

The false catshark, Pseudotriakis microdon, the only member of the genus Pseudotriakis, which is in turn the only member of the family Pseudotriakidae, is found circumglobally between latitudes 64° N and 12° S at depths of between 200 and 1,500 m. It reaches a length of 2.7 m (male) and 2.95 m (female).

The false catshark is found on the continental and insular slopes, occasionally wandering onto continental shelves. It is inactive and sluggish, and probably eats bony fishes, elasmobranchs and invertebrates.

Its coloration is a uniformly dark brownish-grey, darker on posterior edges of pelvic, dorsal, anal and caudal fins.

The false catshark is ovoviviparous giving birth to 2 to 4 young per litter which are between 70 and 140 cm in length.

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