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One-finned shark
No image of One-finned shark found in the Shark Database
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| Range Map |
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| Systematics |
Phylum: Vertebates (Chordata)
Class: Carlilagenous Fishes (Chondrichthyes)
Order: Frilled and cow sharks (Hexanchiformes)
Family: Cow sharks (Hexanchidae)
Genus: Heptranchias (Heptranchias)
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| Name |
| Scientific: | Heptranchias perlo |
| German: | Spitzkopf-Siebenkiemerhai |
| English: | One-finned shark, Perlon shark, Sevengill cow shark, Sharpnose sevengill shark, Sharpsnouted sevengill, Slender sevengill, Sharpnose sevengill shark |
| French: | Requin perlon |
| Spanish: | Canabota bocadulce |
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| Appearance |
7 pairs of gill slits. Narrow, pointed head with large, green fluorescent eyes. One dorsal fin. Long caudal peduncle.
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| Coloration |
Greyish-brown on back, lighter ventral surface. Tip of dorsal fin and caudal fin can be dusky, prominent in young, absent or faded in adults.
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| Distribution |
Wide ranging in tropical and temperate seas. Western Atlantic: North Carolina to Cuba, Gulf of Mexico. Southern Brazil, Argentina. Eastern Atlantic: Morocco, Angola, western Mediterranean. Indian Ocean: South Africa, Mozambique, India. Western Pacific: Japan, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand. Eastern Pacific: Chile.
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| Biology |
Lives preferably in deeper waters over the continental shelves and upper slopes, usually between 25 m and 700 m depth. Can also be found close to the surface. This species is probably a strong swimmer.
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| Feeding |
Fishes (such as hake), squid and crustaceans.
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| Size |
Average size between 90 cm and 110 cm, maximum length about 135 cm.
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| Reproduction |
Aplacental viviparous (ovoviviparous). 9 to 20 pups per litter. Size at birth is 25 cm. Males reach sexual maturity at about 85 cm, females at 90 cm.
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| Similar Species |
Can be mistaken for the , however the Broadnose seven gill has a distinctive color (numerous black spots over entire body), small eyes and is much bigger.
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| Endangerment |
Status in the IUCN
Red List(Version 2001):
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| Main criterion: |
 NT (Near Threatened) |
| Sub criterion: |
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| Trend: |
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| Danger to Humans |
Harmless, although bites when caught.
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