| Blotched catshark | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Division: | Selachii |
| Order: | Carcharhiniformes |
| Family: | Scyliorhinidae |
| Genus: | Scyliorhinus |
| Species: | S. meadi |
| Binomial name | |
| Scyliorhinus meadi S. Springer, 1966 | |
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| Range of the blotched catshark | |
Scyliorhinus meadi, theblotched catshark, is a little-known species of catshark, and part of the familyScyliorhinidae, found in the western centralAtlantic Ocean. It inhabits banks of deep-seacoral at depths of 329–548 m (1,079–1,798 ft), feeding oncephalopods,shrimp, andbony fishes. This species can be identified by its wide body and head, and the dark saddle-like markings on its back. It also has small spots thatfluoresce yellow under a blue light. Adult blotched catsharks have not been observed; the largest immature specimen is 49 cm (19 in) long. Like other catsharks, it is believed to beoviparous. This species is not dangerous to humans and has nocommercial significance.
The blotched catshark was first scientifically described in 1966 by AmericanichthyologistStewart Springer, based on a 25 cm (9.8 in) long immature male caught offCape Canaveral,Florida. He named it afterGiles W. Mead, who brought the original specimen to his attention.[2] From 1970 to 1979, this species was regarded as asubspecies of thechain catshark (S. retifer).[3]
The blotched catshark has been recorded fromNorth Carolina southward to the Santaren Channel betweenFlorida, theBahamas,Cuba, as well as in the Cayman Trench off northernJamaica, and in theGulf of Mexico north of theYucatan Peninsula. This rare shark inhabits the uppercontinental slope, at a depth of 329–548 m (1,079–1,798 ft).[1] Abottom-dwelling species, blotched catsharks are usually found amongst deepwatercoral banks composed largely ofLophelia pertusa.[4]
All blotched catshark specimens collected thus far have been immature, the largest male measuring 49 cm (19 in) in length and the largest female 43 cm (17 in) in length.[1] This shark has a broad, heavily built head and body, tapering greatly towards the tail. The flaps of skin beside thenares are small and do not reach the mouth. The teeth in the upper jaw are exposed when the mouth is closed, and there are furrows at the corners of the lower jaw.[3]
The firstdorsal fin originates over thepelvic fins, while the second dorsal fin originates over theanal fin. Thecaudal fin is nearly horizontal, with an indistinct lower lobe and a prominent notch near the tip of the upper lobe. The skin is relatively smooth, as thedermal denticles are small and flattened. The coloration consists of a plain dark background with 7–8 darker, more or less prominent saddles.[3] Like the related chain catshark, the blotched catshark exhibitsfluorescence, with small spots on its back that glow yellow under a blue light.[5]
The blotched catshark preys oncephalopods,shrimp, andbony fishes of surprisingly large size.[6] Its internal anatomy suggests that it lays encapsulated eggs like the other members of its family, though these egg cases have not been observed. The sizes of the known immature specimens suggest that the adults are relatively large.[1]
Harmless to humans and rarely caught byfisheries, the blotched catshark is of no economic importance. It has been assessed as Least Concern by theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).[1][7]
