African angelshark

The African angelshark (Squatina africana) is an angelshark of the family Squatinidae.

African angelshark
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Squatiniformes
Family: Squatinidae
Genus: Squatina
Species:
S. africana
Binomial name
Squatina africana
Regan, 1908
Range of African angelshark (in blue)

Measurements

Born: 28–30 cm TL; Mature: ~ 80 cm (M), 90 cm (F) TL; Max: ~ 122 cm TL.

Identification

Color: Are a greyish or a reddish-brown, there are many light and dark spots, which are often large granular-centered ocelli in young fishes. Obtains larger symmetrical dark bands or saddles, blotches on a broad, angular, high pectoral fins. It has a dark tail base, with white margins. Body: Has simple flat nasal barbels, with its tips tapering or spatulate. The anterior nasal flaps smooth or are slightly fringed. There are no angular lobes on lateral dermal flaps. Enlarged thorns on its head, and not back. Obtains a concave between its eyes.

Distribution and range

Western Indian Ocean: found in east and southern Africa; South Africa to Mozambique, Tanzania and Madagascar, and possibly Somalia. Nominal west African records possibly based on another species. 4°S - 32°S.

Climate and habitat

Subtropical; continental shelf and upper slope, demersal, marine. Usually found in sand and mud. From surfing too? - 494 m, but usually occurs at 60–300 m down.

Behavior

Lies in wait buried underneath sand or mud to ambush its prey with lightning-fast reflexes and great precision.

Biology

Diet: Feeds on small bony fishes, squid and octopuses, and including shrimp. Reproduction: Is ovoviviparous and gives birth to at least 7 or 11 pups per litter.

Status

IUCN Red List: near threatened. It is common only on the east coast of South Africa. Trawl fishery bycatch.

Threat to humans

Traumatogenic.

Resilience and vulnerability

Very low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years; high vulnerability.

References
  1. Cliff, G., Bennett, R., Da Silva, C., Ebert, D.A., Fennessy, S., Fernando, S., Gledhill, K., Jabado, R.W., Kuguru, B., Leslie, R., McCord, M.E., Samoilys, M. & Winker, H. 2019. Squatina africana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T44996A113073072. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T44996A113073072.en. Downloaded on 26 July 2019.
  • Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2006). "Squatina africana" in FishBase. July 2006 version.
  • Compagno, Dando, & Fowler, Sharks of the World, Princeton University Press, New Jersey 2005 ISBN 978-0-691-12072-0
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