Diagnostic Description
provided by FAO species catalogs
fieldmarks: An angelshark with simple, conical nasal barbels and virtually smooth anterior nasal flaps, dermal flaps on sides of head without angular lobes, broad, angular pectoral fins, and no ocelli on body. Anterior nasal barbels simple, with a narrow, tapering tip; posterior margin of anterior nasal flaps between nasal barbels and tips smooth or weakly fringed; distance from eye to spiracle less than 1.5 times eye diameter; dermal folds on sides of head without lobes; heavy spines present on snout and above eyes, but none on midline of back and tail. Origin of first dorsal fin usually in front of pelvic rear tips; pectoral fins rather broad, free rear tips broadly subangular. No ocelli on body.
- bibliographic citation
- FAO species catalogue Vol.4. Sharks of the world. An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Shark Species Known to Date Part 1 - Hexanchiformes to Lamniformes. Compagno, L.J.V.1984FAO Fisheries Synopsis. , (125) Vol.4, Part 1.
- author
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Distribution
provided by FAO species catalogs
Tropical and warm temperate waters of the southwestern Indian Ocean: Eastern Cape coast of South Africa north to Mozambique and Tanzania.
- bibliographic citation
- FAO species catalogue Vol.4. Sharks of the world. An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Shark Species Known to Date Part 1 - Hexanchiformes to Lamniformes. Compagno, L.J.V.1984FAO Fisheries Synopsis. , (125) Vol.4, Part 1.
- author
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Size
provided by FAO species catalogs
Maximum total length size about 108 cm, males maturing at about 75 to 78 cm and reaching over 80 cm, females maturing between 90 and 93 cm and reaching at least 108 cm; size at birth between 28 and 34 cm.
- bibliographic citation
- FAO species catalogue Vol.4. Sharks of the world. An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Shark Species Known to Date Part 1 - Hexanchiformes to Lamniformes. Compagno, L.J.V.1984FAO Fisheries Synopsis. , (125) Vol.4, Part 1.
- author
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Brief Summary
provided by FAO species catalogs
A common benthic and epibenthic shark on the continental shelf and uppermost slope,ranging in depth from the surf line close inshore to 494 m depth, with most occurring between 60 and 300 m depth. Development ovoviviparous, number of young probably about 7 to 11 in a litter. Eats bony fishes, squids and octopuses.
- bibliographic citation
- FAO species catalogue Vol.4. Sharks of the world. An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Shark Species Known to Date Part 1 - Hexanchiformes to Lamniformes. Compagno, L.J.V.1984FAO Fisheries Synopsis. , (125) Vol.4, Part 1.
- author
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Benefits
provided by FAO species catalogs
Limited, often taken by bottom trawlers.
- bibliographic citation
- FAO species catalogue Vol.4. Sharks of the world. An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Shark Species Known to Date Part 1 - Hexanchiformes to Lamniformes. Compagno, L.J.V.1984FAO Fisheries Synopsis. , (125) Vol.4, Part 1.
- author
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Diagnostic Description
provided by Fishbase
A distinctly flattened shark with large pectoral fins separated from the round head by notches (Ref. 5578). Brown above with a reticulated pattern of light spots, white below (Ref. 5578).
- Recorder
- Cristina V. Garilao
Life Cycle
provided by Fishbase
Ovoviviparous, with about 7 to 11 young in a litter. Size at birth between 28 and 34 cm. Embryos feed solely on yolk (Ref. 50449).
Morphology
provided by Fishbase
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 0
- Recorder
- Cristina V. Garilao
Biology
provided by Fishbase
Found on the continental shelf and uppermost slope, from the surf line close inshore to 494 m depth (Ref. 247). Feeds on bony fish, squid and octopus (Ref. 247). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449), with about 7 to 11 young in a litter (Ref. 247). Sometimes caught by surf anglers (Ref. 6588).
- Recorder
- Kent E. Carpenter
Importance
provided by Fishbase
fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes
- Recorder
- Kent E. Carpenter
African angelshark
provided by wikipedia EN
The African angelshark (Squatina africana) is an angelshark of the family Squatinidae.
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 fish. 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
-
^ 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". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T44996A113073072. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T44996A113073072.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
African angelshark: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The African angelshark (Squatina africana) is an angelshark of the family Squatinidae.
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
Description
provided by World Register of Marine Species
Found on the continental shelf and uppermost slope, inshore near the surf line and deeper. Most commonly found between 60 and 300 m depth. Feeds on bony fishes, squids and octopi. Ovoviviparous, with about 7 to 11 young in a litter.
Froese, R. & D. Pauly (Editors). (2023). FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. version (02/2023).
- license
- cc-by-4.0
- copyright
- WoRMS Editorial Board
