Cephaloscyllium zebrum Last & White, 2008
Narrowbar swellshark
photo by Last P.R. & W.T. White

Family:  Scyliorhinidae (Cat sharks), subfamily: Scyliorhininae
Max. size:  44.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); 43.5 cm TL (female)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range - 454 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Australia.
Diagnosis:  A small species with the following set of characters: head 10.2-11.1% TL in height, trunk narrow, its width 14.7-15.7% TL; origin of first dorsal-fin slightly behind mid pelvic-fin base; prenarial 4.4-4.8% TL in length; preorbital snout length is 1.5 times prenarial length, 2.8-2.9 in prepectoral length, about 6.3 in prepelvic length; snout-vent, 49.4-50.3% TL in length; nostril 2.2-2.4% TL in width; eye-spiracle space is wide, 1.1-1.3% TL; height of pectoral fin 11.3-12.1% TL, posterior margin length 10.6-11.6% TL; height of anal fin 3.2-3.3% TL; anal-caudal space about 5.4% TL; precaudal length 75-76% TL; interdorsal space 6.2-7.7% TL; teeth often with 3-5 cusps near symphysis of upper jaw; flank denticles are unicuspidate or weakly tricuspidate; back with no greatly enlarged denticles; adult clasper is long, up to 8.2% TL, almost reaching anal fin, interspace about 3.9 in anal-fin base; vertebral centra 110-111; low tooth count, each jaw with 59-62 teeth; upper half is pale with 31-34 narrow, saddle-like bars on body and tail; broad interspaces between bars, about 1.5 times width of adjacent bar; no large blotches (Ref. 76948).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 02 May 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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