Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) > Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks) > Pseudotriakidae (False catsharks)
Etymology: Pseudotriakis: pseudo-, from pseudes (Gr.), false, i.e., although this genus may superficially resemble Triakis (Triakidae), such an appearance is false. (See ETYFish); microdon: micro-, from mikros (Gr.), small; odon (Gr.), tooth, referring to numerous small teeth (>200 rows in each jaw). (See ETYFish)
More on author: de Brito Capello.

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 173 - 1890 m (Ref. 58302); deep-water; 64°N - 48°S98°W - 153°W.

Western Atlantic: New York and New Jersey, USA. Reported from Cuba (Ref. 26340); including Brazil (Ref. 53443). Northeast Atlantic: Atlantic slope off Iceland, France, Portugal, Madeira, Azores, Senegal, and Cape Verde. Indian Ocean: Aldabra Island group and Western Australia (Ref. 13565). Pacific Ocean: Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand, and Hawaii (Ref. 13565).

Maturity: L_m 253.5, range 210 - 295 cm
Max length: 269 cm TL male/unsexed (Ref. 244); max length: 295 cm TL (female).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0. Lower lobe of caudal fin hardly developed, its upper edge not rippled and a subterminal notch present (Ref. 13565). Uniformly dark brownish-grey, darker on posterior edges of pelvic, dorsal, anal and caudal fins (Ref. 13565).

Found on the continental and insular slopes, occasionally wandering onto continental shelves (Ref. 13565). Inactive and sluggish (Ref. 13565). Probably eats bony fishes, elasmobranchs and invertebrates (Ref. 244). Ovoviviparous, embryos feeding on yolk sac and other ova produced by the mother, uterine milk is consumed additionally (Ref. 50449). Pups number 2 to 4 in a litter (Ref. 244), size at birth between 70 (Ref. 244) and 140 cm TL (Ref. 13565). Caught very rarely by deepwater demersal longline fisheries in some areas. Utilized for its fins (limited value), meat and cartilage (Ref. 58048).

Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), embryos feed on yolk and ova, also consume uterine milk (Ref. 50449) with 2-4 young in a litter (Ref. 13565; Ref. 58048). Size at birth between 70 and 85 cm (Ref. 26346reports it at about 140 cm TL). Distinct pairing with embrace (Ref. 205).

Compagno, L.J.V. 1984 FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 4. Sharks of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 2 - Carcharhiniformes. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(4/2):251-655. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 244)

  Least Concern (LC); date assessed: March 02 2023

Not Evaluated

Not Evaluated

  Harmless

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Preferred temperature (Ref. 123201): 4.8 - 12.7, mean 8.2 °C (based on 793 cells).

Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82804): PD₅₀ = 1.0625 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].

Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00047 (0.00023 - 0.00095), b=3.29 (3.09 - 3.49), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & (Sub)family-body (Ref. 93245).

Trophic level (Ref. 69278): 4.3 ±0.5 se; Based on diet studies.

Resilience (Ref. 120179): Very low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (K=0.17; Fec=2).

Fishing vulnerability (Ref. 59153): Very high vulnerability (90 of 100).

Price category (Ref. 80766): Unknown.

Nutrients (Ref. 124155): Calcium = 0 [0, 0] mg/100g; Iron = 0 [0, 0] mg/100g; Protein = 0 [0, 0] %; Omega3 = 0 [0, 0] g/100g; Selenium = 0 [0, 0] μg/100g; VitaminA = 0 [0, 0] μg/100g; Zinc = 0 [0, 0] mg/100g (wet weight);