Tiger catshark

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Tiger catshark
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Subdivision: Selachimorpha
Order: Carcharhiniformes
Family: Scyliorhinidae
Genus: Halaelurus
Species:
H. natalensis
Binomial name
Halaelurus natalensis
(Regan, 1904)
Range of the tiger catshark[2]
Synonyms

Scyllium natalense Regan, 1904

The tiger catshark (Halaelurus natalensis) is a species of catshark, belonging to the family Scyliorhinidae. It is found over sandy areas and near reef peripheries off South Africa and perhaps Mozambique, from close to shore to usually no deeper than 100 m (330 ft). Reaching a length of 50 cm (20 in), this small, slim shark has a broad, flattened head with an upturned snout tip. It can additionally be identified by its dorsal colour pattern of ten dark brown saddles on a yellowish brown background.

oviparous species, the female retains her eggs internally until the embryos are at an advanced state of development, resulting in a relatively short hatching time after laying. Between 12 and 22 encapsulated eggs are produced at a time, which the female attaches to the bottom. The tiger catshark is caught incidentally by commercial and recreational fishers but has no economic value. It has been listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN).

Taxonomy

British

conspecific to the tiger catshark, until it was described as a separate species in 1975.[6]

Description

The body of the tiger catshark is slim and firm, and it grows up to 50 cm (20 in) long. The head is broad and flattened, with a distinct and upturned snout tip. The horizontally oval eyes are situated high on the head and protected by rudimentary nictitating membranes. Beneath each eye is a broad ridge, and behind is a spiracle. The medium-sized nostrils are divided by lobe-like flaps of skin on their anterior rims. The nasal flaps do not reach the large mouth, which forms a wide arch and bears short furrows around the corners. When the mouth is closed, the centre of the lower jaw falls well short of the upper, leaving the upper teeth exposed.[5] The teeth are small and 3-cusped (rarely 5-cusped), with the central cusp the longest.[6] The five pairs of gill slits are placed higher than the level of the mouth and face somewhat upwards.[5]

The

dermal denticles have three-pointed crowns and are widely spaced compared to other species in the genus.[5][6] Coloured yellowish brown above and cream below, this shark has a characteristic series of ten dorsal saddles from the head to the tail; each saddle is dark brown with a darker edge and a lighter middle. Unlike in the similar lined catshark, there are no spots or additional markings between the saddles.[2][4]

Distribution and habitat

The tiger catshark is

continental slope. It may segregate by size, with the adults found farther from shore.[2][4]

Biology and ecology

The broadnose sevengill shark is known to prey on the tiger catshark.

The tiger catshark is a sluggish

chokka squid (Loligo vulgaris reynaudi), feeding on squid that have descended to the bottom to mate and deposit eggs.[7] Documented predators of this species include the broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus) and the ragged tooth shark (Carcharias taurus).[8][9]

Reproduction in the tiger catshark is

sea floor. The female retains the eggs internally until the embryos are substantially developed, measuring at least 4.3 cm (1.7 in) long. Thus, the eggs hatch within only one or two months of being laid, reducing the amount of time that they are exposed to predators.[4][5] Males and females begin to reach sexual maturity at lengths of 29–35 cm (11–14 in) and 30–44 cm (12–17 in) respectively.[2]

Human interactions

Harmless to humans,

bottom trawlers, recreational anglers, and rarely squid fishers. Though edible, it is not a valued catch and is usually discarded. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) presently classifies this species as vulnerable.[1][4]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T44613A124435463.en
    . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-0-691-12072-0
    .
  3. doi:10.1080/03745480409442978
    .
  4. ^
    ISBN 978-1-86825-394-4
    .
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-92-5-101384-7
    .
  6. ^ a b c Bass, A. J.; D'Aubery, J. D.; Kistnasamy, N. (1975). Sharks of the east coast of southern Africa. II. The families Scyliorhinidae and Pseudotriakidae Archived 2012-03-03 at the Wayback Machine. South African Association for Marine Biological Research, Oceanographic Research Institute Investigational Report No. 37.
  7. doi:10.2989/025776191784287736
    .
  8. doi:10.2989/025776191784287547
    .
  9. S2CID 84782633. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 2012-04-02.
  10. ^ Froese, R.; Pauly, D., eds. (2011). Halaelurus natalensis. FishBase. September 2011 version.
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