| Family: |
Scyliorhinidae (Cat sharks), subfamily: Scyliorhininae |
| Max. size: |
53.4 cm TL (male/unsexed); 63 cm TL (female) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 400 - 500 m |
| Distribution: |
Southwest Atlantic: Brazil. |
| Diagnosis: |
This species is distinguished by the following characters: head considerably broad (vs. slender in the S. haeckelii/besnardi group and S. hesperius); with brown saddles on a light brown background, predorsal saddles with anterior and posterior sharp median projections (vs. no projections in the S. haeckelii/besnardi group or S. hesperius) and light and dark, spiracle-sized or slightly smaller spots, no large white spots (vs. large white spots in S. hesperius); also, the snout is rounded and moderately short, preoral length 5% TL (vs. 4.5% TL in the S. haeckelii/besnardi group); preorbital length 6.4% TL and head length 20% TL (vs. 5% TL and 18% TL in S. hesperius); mouth width 9% TL (vs. 8% TL in the S. haeckelii/besnardi group and 7.2% TL in S. hesperius); pectoral-pelvic space 1.5 times pelvic-anal space (vs. equal in the S. haeckelii/besnardi group), and interdorsal space 2.3 times dorsal-caudal space (vs. 1.6 times in S. haeckelii/besnardi group); anal-fin base 8% TL (vs. 6.7% TL in S. hesperius, 8.3% TL in the S. haeckelii/besnardi group); cranium with flat basal plate, without keels; cranial width larger in females 42.7% NL (vs. 37.4% NL in S. haeckelii/besnardi group); with a terminal dermal cover in hindmost portion of clasper, covering terminal cartilages (none in S. hesperius); medium-sized, adult male at 44.5 cm TL and adult female 50.0 cm TL (vs. 35.3 cm and 41.0 cm, respectively, for the S. haeckelii/besnardi group) (Ref. 101269). |
| Biology: |
Recorded specimens are mostly demersal, about 400-500 m deep, and associated with coral formations, where it possibly lays its egg-cases. Stomach contents consist of small invertebrates (cephalopods), small bony fishes, and one hagfish (Class Myxini) egg-case which was found in the stomach of an adult specimen. The size at first maturity is not well defined, but 45.0 cm TL males and 47.0 cm TL females are adults. Reproduction is by oviparity, with at least two amber colored egg capsules (one for each uterus) which are smooth, lacking longitudinal grooves and measuring about 15.2 cm long and 5.8 cm wide (Ref. 101269). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 July 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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