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Smallmouth velvet dogfish
No image of Smallmouth velvet dogfish found in the Shark Database
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| Range Map |
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| Systematics |
Phylum: Vertebates (Chordata)
Class: Carlilagenous Fishes (Chondrichthyes)
Order: Dogfish sharks (Squaliformes)
Family: Dogfish sharks (Squalidae)
Genus: Scymnodon (Scymnodon)
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| Name |
| Scientific: | Scymnodon obscurus |
| German: | Kleinmaulsamthai |
| English: | Smallmouth velvet dogfish |
| French: | Squale-grogneur a queue echancree |
| Spanish: | Bruja bocachica |
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| Appearance |
Small shark, with a moderately long, pointed and flattened snout. Narrow pectoral fins. Dorsal fins with minute, grooved spines. Origin of first dorsal fin over or at the end of the free rear ends of the pectoral fins. Pelvic fins about the size of the second dorsal fin. Spiracles present. Caudal fin with strong subterminal notch and a short lower lobe.
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| Coloration |
Blackish brown or dark brown, no conspicuous markings.
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| Distribution |
Western Atlantic: Northern Gulf of Mexico, Surinam; southern Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Iceland to Madeira, Morocco, Cape Verde Islands, Senegal. Indian Ocean: South Africa.
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| Biology |
A little-known deepwater species that can be found close to or at the bottom usually between 500 m and 1400 m depth. Maximum range between surface and about 2000 m.
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| Feeding |
Feeds on bottom fishes and invertebrates.
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| Size |
Average size about 50 cm, maximum size about 60+cm.
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| Reproduction |
Aplacental viviparous (ovoviviparous).
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| Similar Species |
Similar species exist, taxonomic features have to be used to identify the different species.
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| Endangerment |
Status in the IUCN
Red List:
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No Entry found in Red List.
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| Danger to Humans |
Harmless.
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