Narrowbar swellshark

Narrowbar swellshark
Conservation status
	; Data Deficient (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Subclass:	Elasmobranchii
Subdivision:	Selachimorpha
Order:	Carcharhiniformes
Family:	Scyliorhinidae
Genus:	Cephaloscyllium
Species:	C. zebrum
Binomial name
	Cephaloscyllium zebrum; Last & W. T. White, 2008

The narrowbar swellshark (Cephaloscyllium zebrum) is a rare species of catshark, and part of the family Scyliorhinidae, known only from two specimens collected near Flinders Reef off northeastern Australia. This species reaches at least 44.5 cm (17.5 in) in length, and has a stocky body with a short, broad head. It can be readily identified by its zebra-like dorsal color pattern of transverse brown bars on a yellowish background. Like other swellsharks, it can inflate its body as a defensive measure.

Taxonomy

In 1994,

trawled from Flinders Reef in December 1985. One was a 44.5 cm (17.5 in) long male, and the other a 43.5 cm (17.1 in) long female. In 2008, this species was formally described by Peter Last and William White in a CSIRO publication, and given the specific epithet zebrum in reference to its unique color pattern.^[2] The male specimen was designated as the holotype and the female a paratype.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

The narrowbar swellshark has only been found at a depth of 444–454 m (1,457–1,490 ft) on the upper

continental slope, near Flinders Reef off the Australian state of Queensland.^[2] Its distribution may be wider than is known.^[1]

Description

A small Cephaloscyllium species at around 44 cm (17 in) long, the narrowbar swellshark has a robust body and a short, broad, and flattened head. The snout is rounded, with the

pectoral fin and are shorter than the first three.^[2]

The pectoral fins are broad and moderate in size, with narrowly rounded tips. The first

dermal denticles bearing median and lateral ridges. The dorsal coloration is unique among swellsharks, consisting of 31–34 closely spaced, transverse dark brown bars on a creamy yellow background; on the snout the bars are irregular, while towards the tail every other bar becomes faint. The underside is pale and unmarked.^[2]^[3]