Eastern spotted gummy shark

Eastern spotted gummy shark
Conservation status

Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Superorder: Selachimorpha
Order: Carcharhiniformes
Family: Triakidae
Genus: Mustelus
Species: M. walkeri
Binomial name
Mustelus walkeri
W. T. White & Last, 2008

The eastern spotted gummy shark (Mustelus walkeri) is a species of houndshark in the Triakidae family, found in Australian waters. This new species of gummy sharks is a relatively large species with the following characteristics: tall dorsal fins, its posterior margin directed posteroventrally from top to bottom and not upright distally, first dorsal-fin base is 1.6-2.0 times the anal-caudal space; buccopharyngeal denticles cover entire palate and floor of mouth; long claspers of adult males are slender, strongly depressed, the inner length about 9-10% TL, extending to just anterior of the second dorsal-fin origin; lower edge of spiracle is usually close to level of mid-eye; insertion of anal-fin usually over its apex; about 69/73 teeth rows; 78- 94 precaudal vertebral centra; 35-39 monospondylous centra; dorsal color pale greyish with numerous small, often indistinct, semi-regular, diffuse-edged white spots on postspiracular head and body; light and dark tonal coloration well demarcated on head below eye and onto middle of first gill slit, the intergill membranes are much darker dorsally than ventrally; bases and inner lobe of dorsal fins in juveniles (<400 mm TL) not strongly contrasted to distal part of fin, inner lobe is pale-edged; juveniles have caudal fin with distinctive whitish posterior margins.[2]

See also

List of sharks

References

  1. Kyne, P.M. (2011). "Mustelus walkeri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  2. White, W.T. and P.R. Last, 2008. Description of two new species of gummy sharks, genus Mustelus (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) from Australian waters. In Last, P.R., White, W.T. & Pogonoski, J.J. (eds.): Descriptions of New Australian Chondrichthyans. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper no. 22.