Argentine angelshark

Argentine angelshark
Conservation status
Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Subclass:	Elasmobranchii
Subdivision:	Selachimorpha
Order:	Squatiniformes
Family:	Squatinidae
Genus:	Squatina
Species:	S. argentina
Binomial name
Squatina argentina (Marini, 1930)
Range of Argentine angelshark (in blue)

The Argentine angelshark (Squatina argentina) is an angelshark of the family Squatinidae.

Measurements

Born: N/A.; Mature: ~ 100.0 cm - 120 cm TL; Max: 138 (?170) cm TL.

Identification

Colour: Are a purplish-brown color with many scattered dark brown spots (with no white), that are mostly in circular groups around a central spot. No ocelli. Obtains paler dorsal fins. Body: Has simple spatulate nasal barbels. Also slightly fringed or a smooth anterior nasal flaps with no triangular lobes on lateral head folds. Has concave between its eyes. Obtains enlarged thorns on snout, and not back. Its pectoral fins are large, broad, and obtusely angular. Convex leading edge forming a very distinct 'shoulder'.

Distribution & range

Southwest Atlantic: from southern Brazil down south to Patagonia. 19°S - 53°S, 68°W - 38°W.

Climate & habitat

Subtropical; continental shelf and upper slope, demersal, marine. Found 50 – 320 m (usually 100 – 400 m) down.

Behaviour

Unknown.

Biology

Diet: Feeds on demersal fishes, shrimp, and squid. Reproduction: Are ovoviviparous, birth about 7 to 11 pups per litter.

Threat to humans

Traumatogenic.

Resilience & vulnerability

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

References

• Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2006). "Squatina argentina" in FishBase. July 2006 version.
• Compagno, Dando, & Fowler, Sharks of the World, Princeton University Press, New Jersey 2005 ISBN 0-691-12072-2

This page was last edited on 17 February 2022, at 23:27