Sawback angelshark

Taxobox
name = Sawback angelshark


image_caption =
status = CR
status_system = IUCN3.1
trend =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Chondrichthyes
subclassis = Elasmobranchii
ordo = Squatiniformes
familia = Squatinidae
genus = "Squatina"
species = "S. aculeata"
range_

---

range_map_width = 200px
range_map_caption = Range of sawback angelshark (in blue)
binomial = "Squatina aculeata"
binomial_authority = Cuvier, 1829

The sawback angelshark, "Squatina aculeata", is an angel shark of the family Squatinidae found in the subtropical eastern Atlantic and western Mediterranean, Morocco, Senegal, Guinea to Nigeria, Gabon to Angola between latitudes 43° N and 19° S, at depths of between 30 and 500 m. Its length is up to 1.88 m.

The sawback angelshark is found mainly on muddy bottoms. It feeds on small sharks, jacks, cuttlefish and crustaceans. It is utilized dried salted and fresh for human consumption, liver oil and hide is also utilized.

Coloration is dull grey or light brown on the back sparsely scattered with small irregular white spots and regular small dark brownish spots. There are large thorns on the head and in a row along the back. The head is concave between the eyes.

Reproduction is ovoviviparous.

References

*
* Compagno, Dando, & Fowler, "Sharks of the World", Princeton University Press, New Jersey 2005 ISBN 0-691-12072-2

External links

* [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/61417/all IUCN Redlist entry]