JAWLESS FISHES T · JAWLESS FISHES The hagfishes and their relatives, the lampreys (Order Petromyzontiformes, not found in Namibia), are ... Cyclostomes are considered ... Habitat

JAWLESS FISHES

The hagfishes and their relatives, the lampreys (Order Petromyzontiformes, not found in Namibia), aredifferent from all other living fishes because they lack true jaws. Their internal skeleton is cartilaginous,

and they lack true teeth and true vertebrae. These jawless fishes are included in the Superclass Agnatha andare commonly referred to as cyclostomes. All other living fishes (sharks, rays, chimeras, and bony fishes)possess true jaws derived from gill arches and are placed in the Superclass Gnathostomata. Cyclostomesare considered primitive compared to other vertebrates that possess jaws.Hagfishes are easily recognized from their eel-like body form, apparent lack of eyes (they are small andcovered with skin), lack of paired fins, a single nostril surrounded by 2 pairs of barbels, and a mouth withhorny teeth and a barbel on each side. They are of no commercial interest but can be a nuisance to fisher-men; when caught on hooks they profusely secrete a slime that acts as a fish repellent. The hagfishescomprise a single family, with 2 species reported from Namibia.

Order MYXINIFORMES - Hagfishes

Eptatretus hexatrema(Müller, 1834) MYXINIDAE

FAO names : En - Sixgill hagfish; Fr - Myxine àsix trous; Sp - Pez moco de seis agallas.Local names : Seskief-slymslang (Ak).Size: To 80 cm.Fisheries : Incidentally caught by baited traps,baited hooks, and occasionally caught in bot-tom trawls.Habitat and biology : Commonly burrows inmuddy bottoms at depths from 20 to 400 m.Feeds mostly by scavenging on dead or dis-abled fish. Egg capsules with hooks on bothends.

Myxine capensisRegan, 1913 MYXINIDAE

FAO names : En - Cape hagfish; Fr - Myxine duCap; Sp - Pez moco del Cabo.Local names :Size: To 40 cm.Fisheries : Incidentally caught by baited traps,baited hooks, and occasionally caught in bot-tom trawls.Habitat and biology : Burrows in muddy bot-toms at depths from 175 to 460 m. Feedsmostly by scavenging on dead or disabled fish.

Guide to Species 69

after Smith and Heemstra, 1986

6 pairs of gillopenings on

ventralsurfaceslime pores

mouth

teeth

nostril

ventral view of head

slime pores

ventral surface

1 pair of gillopenings

click for previous page

SHARKS

Based mostly on the work of Compagno (1984, 1985, 1989, and 1991), about 46 species in 15 families ofsharks are reported from Namibia. All these sharks are likely to be encountered in 1 or more of the bottom

trawl, purse seine, longline, line, and pole-and-line fisheries of Namibia. We include all species in the “Guideto Species,” except those of questionable records. In addition, we include in the Appendix a checklist ofspecies that includes a list of our sources for species records. This checklist is intended as a working list fromwhich researchers in Namibia may more accurately assess and study their shark resources. All families thatare likely to occur are also treated in the “Guide to Orders and Families” and it is recommended that thispreliminary guide be consulted before attempting to determine the species, since many important characterslisted in the family guide are not repeated in the “Guide to Species.”

TECHNICAL TERMS AND MEASUREMENTS(Straight-line distances)

70 Sharks

mouth

head tailtrunk

2nddorsal fin

fin spine

eye withnictitating

lowereyelid spiracle

1st dorsalfin

interdorsal spacekeel

precaudalpit

inner margin offree rear tip

upperlobe

terminallobe

sub-terminalnotch

caudal fin

lowerlobe

caudalpeduncleanal fin

length of pectoral fin

pelvic fin

insertion of fininnercorner

rear margin

pectoral fingillslits

labialfolds

nostril

clasper (male sex organ)

snout

caudal fin

precaudal tail

anal fin

pelvic fin(female, no claspers)

mouth

nostril

snout

trunk

gill slits

total length(caudal fin depressed to body axis)

preanal ridgesvent

pectoral fin

Guide to Orders and Families 71

fin origin insertioninner

margin

freereartip

posteriormargin

apex

spine

anteriormargin

dorsal fin

base lower postventral margin

subterminal notch

posterior notch

upper postventral margin

subterminal margin

terminalmargin

posterior tipterminal lobe

upper (dorsal) lobe

dorsal margin

upper origin

lower origin

preventral margin

lower (ventral) lobe

ventral tip

caudal fin

fin insertioninner margin

free rear tip

posteriormargin

apex

anteriormargin

fin origin

lower labial furrow

symphyseal groove

mouth

nasoral groove

anterior nasal flap lifted

anterior nasal flap

excurrent aperture

barbelupper labial furrow

circumnarial groove

circumnarial fold

incurrentaperture

head of an orectoloboid shark(ventral view)

head (dorsal view)

interorbitalspace

spiracle

head (ventral view)

internasaldistance

preorallength

labial furrow

labial fold

mouth corner

incurrentaperture

anteriornasal flap

posteriornasal flap

excurrent aperture

nostril

upper eyelid

notch

nictitatinglowereyelid

subocular pocket

secondarylower eyelid

eye

mouthwidth

head (lateral view)

eyediameter

preorallength

base

pectoral fin

Order HEXANCHIFORMES - Cow and Frill SharksSix or 7 pairs of gill slits and a single dorsal fin; anal fin present. Two families found in Namibia.

HEXANCHIDAE Page 76

Cow sharksThree species in 3 genera found inNamibia. Mostly demersal, from shallowdepths to 1 800 m. Size to 4.8 m.

CHLAMYDOSELACHIDAE Page 77

Frill sharksOne species worldwide, also found inNamibia. Demersal to depths of about1 300 m. Size to almost 2 m.

Chlamydoselachus anguineus

Order LAMNIFORMES - Mackerel SharksFive pairs of gill slits; 2 dorsal fins without spines; anal fin present; nomovable nictitating eyelid. Four families reported from Namibia.

ODONTASPIDIDAE Page 77

Ragged-tooth sharksOne species reported from Namibia.Neritic, in shallow water down to around200 m. Size to 3.2 m.

Carcharias taurus

LAMNIDAE Page 77

Mackerel sharksAt least 2 species in 2 genera likely to oc-cur in Namibia. Coastal and epipelagic,from the surface to depths of around 1 200m. Size to 7.1 m.

72 Sharks

6-7 GILL SLITS

lower ends of 1st gillslits from right andleft sides do not join

on throat

PECTORAL FINS NOTGREATLY ENLARGED

caudal fin notched

1 DORSAL FIN

ANAL FIN PRESENT

gill slits not nearlyencircling head

2 DORSAL FINS

5 GILL SLITS

PECTORAL FINS NOTGREATLY ENLARGED

ANAL FINPRESENT

upper caudal lobe notgreatly elongate but

lower lobe muchshorter than upper

lobe

6 gill slits

caudal fin not notched

lower ends of 1st gill slits fromright and left sides join on

throat

NO MOVABLENICTITATING

EYELID

upper lobe much less thanhalf of total length

gill slits not nearlyencircling head upper and lower caudal lobes almost

equal in length

CETORHINIDAE

Basking sharksOne species worldwide, not yet officiallyreported from Namibia and not included inthe “Guide to Species.” However, there isan unofficial report of a specimen entan-gled in a gillnet in Lüderitz lagoon in thelate 1950’s (A. Kronitz, personal commu-nication). Coastal and on the continentalshelf. A filter feeder. Size to 15 m.

ALOPIIDAE Page 78

Thresher sharksOne species reported from Namibia andincluded in the “Guide to Species.” An-other species, Alopias superciliosus,(Lowe, 1839) is reported from Angola andstrays may eventually be found in north-ern Namibia. Oceanic and coastal, todepths of 500 m. Size to 6.1 m.

Order CARCHARHINIFORMES - Ground SharksFive pairs of gill slits; 2 dorsal fins without spines; anal finpresent; a movable nictitating eyelid. Four or possibly 5families found in Namibia.

SCYLIORHINIDAE Page 78

CatsharksFour species and genera definitely re-ported from Namibia, all included in the“Guide to Species”; not included is an-other genus shown here, Apristurus, withreports of 2 specimens of an undeter-mined species off Lüderitz and severalother species occuring south of Namibia.Mostly demersal from shallow inshore wa-ters to depths of 700 m. Size to 1.2 m.

Apristurus Scyliorhinus

Galeus Haploblepharus


elongate upper lobeof caudal fin

head not greatly expandedlaterally

5 GILL SLITSPECTORAL FINS NOTGREATLY ENLARGED

both dorsal-fin bases aboveor behind pelvic fins

ANAL FIN PRESENT

2 DORSAL FINS

MOVABLENICTITATING

LOWEREYELID

gill slits nearly encirclinghead

upper caudal lobe not greatly elongate,much less than half of total length

Cetorhinus maximus

Alopias

Holohalaelurus

TRIAKIDAE Page 80

Hound sharksFour species in 3 genera found in Namibia(this family sometimes included underCarcharhinidae), all included in the “Guideto Species.” From inshore shallow depthsto around 400 m. Size to about 2 m.

HEMIGALEIDAE Page 81

Weasel sharksOne species found in Namibia (this familysometimes included as a subfamily in theCarcharhinidae), included in the “Guide toSpecies.” On continental shelf to a depthof 100 m. Size to 1.4 m.

Paragaleus pectoralis

CARCHARHINIDAE Page 81

Requiem sharksThree species in 2 genera listed fromNamibia, all included in the “Guide to Spe-cies.” Neritic and oceanic pelagic todepths of 600 m. Size to 4 m.

SPHYRNIDAE

Hammerhead sharksMostly tropical, not yet officially reportedfrom Namibia, but some individualssighted in Namibia; not included in the“Guide to Species.” Neritic and on conti-nental shelf from the surface to depths of275 m.

Sphyrna lewini

74 Sharks

spiral type intestinal valve


1st dorsal-fin base in frontof pelvic fins

precaudal pit present


1stdorsal-fin base in frontof pelvic fins

precaudal pit present

scroll type intestinal valve

rolled

unrolled


head greatlyexpandedlaterally

1st dorsal-fin base infront of pelvic fins precaudal pit absent


Order SQUALIFORMES - Dogfish SharksFive pairs of gill slits; 2 dorsal fins, usually with spines in front of each fin; pectoral fins not greatly expanded;anal fin absent. Three families found in Namibia.

SQUALIDAE Page 82

DogfishesSeven genera and around 21 species reportedfrom Namibia, 3 questionable species not includedin the “Guide to Species.” Demersal and pelagic, todepths of over 2 000 m. Size to 1.6 m. Genera inthis family may eventually be recognized in differ-ent families as follows: Centrophorusand Deaniain Centrophoridae; Centroscyllium andEtmopterusin Etmopteridae; and ScymnodoninSomniosidae.

OXYNOTIDAE Page 88

Rough sharksOne species in Namibia, included in the“Guide to Species.” Demersal fromdepths of 60 to 660 m. Size to 1.5 m.

Oxynotus centrina

ECHINORHINIDAE Page 88

Bramble sharksOne genus with 1 species in Namibia, in-cluded in the “Guide to Species.”Demersal from shallow depths to 900 m.Size to 3.1 m. Echinorhinus brucus

Order SQUATINIFORMES - Angel SharksFive pairs of gill slits; 2 spineless dorsal fins; anal fins absent; pectoral fins greatly expanded along sides ofhead as a free triangular lobe. One family and genus found in Namibia.

SQUATINIDAE Page 88

Angel sharksTwo species reported from Namibia, bothincluded in the “Guide to Species.” Oncontinental slope and shelf betweendepths of 30 and 500 m. Size to 1.9 m.

Squatina


2 DORSAL FINS, USUALLY WITHSPINES IN FRONT OF EACH FIN

ANAL FIN ABSENT

PECTORAL FINS NOTGREATLY EXPANDED

5 PAIRS OFGILL SLITS

origin of 1st dorsal fin behindfront of pectoral fin but in

front of pelvic fin

denticles not conspicuouslyenlarged

Squalus

skin denticles conspicuouslyenlarged

both dorsal fins situatedover pelvic fins

2 SPINELESS DORSAL FINS

ANAL FIN ABSENT

pelvic fins

mouth terminal

dorsal viewventral view of head

spiracle

5 PAIRS OF GILL SLITS

anterior edge of pectoralfin not attached

origin of 1st dorsal fin nearfront of pectoral-fin base

skin denticles not conspicuouslyenlarged

high, sail-like dorsal fins

EtmopterusCentrophorus

Deania

ENLARGED PECTORAL FINS

Heptranchias perloRafinesque, 1810 (plate IX, 69) HEXANCHIDAE

FAO names : En - Sharpnose sevengill shark;Fr - Requin perlon; Sp - Cañabota bocadulce.Local names : Skerpneus-sewekiefhaai (Ak);Perlon, Spitzkopfsiebenkiemer (Gr).Size: To about 1.4 m.Fisheries : None at present.Habitat and biology : Benthic, from depths of50 to at least 1 000 m. Feeds on small fishes,squid, and other benthic invertebrates.

Hexanchus griseus(Bonnaterre, 1788) (plate II, 9) HEXANCHIDAE

FAO names : En - Bluntnose sixgill shark;Fr - Requin griset; Sp - Cañabota gris.Local names : Sixgill shark; Seskiefhaai (Ak);Grauhai, Sechskiemer (Gr).Size: To about 4.8 m.Fisheries : Taken occasionally with line gearand bottom trawls.Habitat and biology : Found close to the bot-tom or pelagic, in the deeper part of the shelfand upper slope to at least 1 800 m. A vora-cious shark feeding on other sharks, rays, andbony fishes such as hake and pilchard.

Notorynchus cepedianusGarman, 1884 HEXANCHIDAE

Synonyms : Notorynchus pectorosus(Garman, 1884).FAO names : En - Broadnose sevengillshark; Fr - Platnez; Sp - Cañabota gata.Local names : Platneus-sewekiefhaai (Ak).Size: To at least 2.9 m.Fisheries : Caught with line gear and by sportanglers.Habitat and biology : A benthic, neritic spe-cies, found from near the shore to about adepth of 50 m. Sexual maturity is attained at150 to 180 cm for males and 190 to 210 cm forfemales. Feeds on a wide variety of sharks,rays, and bony fishes. Aggressive, reportedas dangerous to people.

76 Sharks

6 gill slits

upper and lower teeth of left side

upper and lower teeth of right side

orbit length much shorterthan internarial distance

7 gill slits

orbit length greater thaninternarial distance

upper and lower teeth of left side

7 gill slits

Chlamydoselachus anguineusGarman, 1884 (plate IX, 70) CHLAMYDOSELACHIDAE

FAO names : En - Frilled shark; Fr - Requinlezard; Sp - Tiburón anguila.Local names : Frill shark; Frilletjieshaai (Ak);Kragenhai, Krausenhai (Gr).Size: To about 2 m.Fisheries : Taken incidentally in bottom trawlsand bottom longlines.Habitat and biology : Benthic, on the outercontinental shelves and upper slopes, atdepths between 120 and 1 300 m.

Carcharias taurusRafinesque, 1810 ODONTASPIDIDAE

Synonyms : Eugomphodus taurus(Rafinesque,1810).FAO names : En - Sandtiger shark; Fr - Requintaureau; Sp - Toro bacota.Local names :Size: Up to 3.2 m.Fisheries : Caught occasionally by sportanglers. Flesh highly appreciated in Japan.Habitat and biology : Coastal, from the surfzone and shallow bays to the deeper conti-nental shelf, near the bottom, in midwater orat the surface. Feeds on various bony fishes,sharks, rays, squid, crabs, and lobsters. Con-sidered as harmless for man.

Carcharodon carcharias(Linnaeus, 1758) LAMNIDAE

FAO names : En - Great white shark;Fr - Grand requin blanc; Sp - Jaquetón blanco.Local names : Witdoodshaai (Ak);Menschenhai, Weißhai (Gr).Size: To 7.1 m total length.Fisheries : So far not caught in Namibia.Habitat and biology : Primarily coastal, offcontinental as well as insular shelves, fromthe surface to depths of more than 1 200 m;often close inshore, penetrating into shallowbays. A very active, swift, and powerful shark,usually feared as the most dangerous of livingsharks. Feeds on bony fishes, sharks, rays,seals, dolphins, porpoises, sea birds, carrion,and a number of invertebrates such as squid,octopus, and crabs. Ovoviviparous, bears 7to 9 young. Worldwide it is considered rare,and in Namibia it is classified as a “SpeciallyProtected Animal.”

Guide to Species 77

upper and lower teeth from left sideventral view of

head

both dorsal fins and anal fin equallylarge and broad-based

colour dark brown-greyto black on back,

abruptly white on belly

upper and lower teeth from left side

ventral view ofhead

strong keel

snout short and conical

ventral view of head upper and lower tooth

Isurus oxyrinchusRafinesque, 1809 (plate II, 10) LAMNIDAE

FAO names : En - Shortfin mako; Fr - Taupebleu; Sp - Marrajo dientuso.Local names : Kortvin-mako (Ak); Mako,Makrelenhai (Gr).Size: To at least 4 m.Fisheries : Caught mainly in tuna longlinefisheries and occasionally by the swordfishfishery.Habitat and biology : An extremely activespecies, mainly epipelagic but also found atdepths of 100 to 150 m. Feeds on a wide vari-ety of prey, including scombrids, carangids,sharks, and cephalopods.

Alopias vulpinus(Bonnaterre, 1788) ALOPIIDAE

FAO names: En - Thresher shark; Fr - Renard;Sp - Zorro.Local names : Thintail thresher;Fynstert-sambokhaai (Ak); Drescher,Drescherhai, Fuchshai (Gr).Size: To at least 6 m.Fisheries : Tuna longlines. Caught occa-sionally in midwater trawls.Habitat and biology : On the continentalshelf, in inshore waters, as well as far from thecoast, from the surface to a depth of 350 m.Feeds on schooling fish, squid, and pelagiccrustaceans herded by the tail.Remarks : Alopias superciliosusoccurs inAngola and may also eventually be reportedfrom Namibia. It can be distinguished from A.vulpinusby the eyes which are larger and ex-tend onto the dorsal surface of the head.

Galeus polli Cadenat, 1959 (plate II, 11) SCYLIORHINIDAE

FAO names : En - African sawtail catshark;Fr - Chien rape; Sp - Pintarroja africana.Local names :Size: To about 40 cm.Fisheries : Caught frequently in bottomtrawls.Habitat and biology : A bottom dwellingshark, found on the upper continental shelffrom depths of 200 to 700 m, associated withhakes, grenadiers, rockfish, and squid.

78 Sharks

eyes small, not visibleon top of head

dorsal view of head ventral view of head

spiny crest of enlarged denticles

anal-fin base long

upper and lower toothventral view of head

strong keel

colour brilliant blue on back andsides, abruptly white on belly

caudal finlunate

snout long andpointed

teeth long andpointed

Haploblepharus pictus(Müller and Henle, 1838) SCYLIORHINIDAE

FAO names : En - Dark shyshark; Fr - Roussettesombre; Sp - Alitán obscuro.Local names : Donker skaamoog (Ak).Size: To about 55 cm.Fisheries : Occasionally caught by shore an-glers.Habitat and biology : An inshore, bot-tom-dwelling shark, most common in sandy ar-eas but also in rocky areas. Feeds on smallbottom-dwelling fish, crustaceans, and cephalo-pods.

Holohalaelurus regani(Gilchrist, 1922) (plate II, 12) SCYLIORHINIDAE

FAO names : En - Izak catshark; Fr - Holbicheisard; Sp - Pejegato reticulado.Local names : Izak; Izak (Ak).Size: To about 60 cm.Fisheries : Occasionally taken in commercialbottom trawlers as bycatch.Habitat and biology : A bottom-dwellingshark of the deeper continental shelf and up-per slope, recorded from depths of about 150to over 700 m but mostly south of Lüderitz.Feeds on small bony fish, crustaceans, andcephalopods. Scavenges on carrion.

Scyliorhinus capensis(Smith, 1838) SCYLIORHINIDAE

FAO names : En - Yellowspotted catshark;Fr - Roussette à taches jaunes; Sp - Alitán demanchas amarillas.Local names : Geelspikkel-kathaai (Ak).Size: To 1.2 m.Fisheries : Rarely caught in bottom trawls.Habitat and biology : A demersal species,found between depths of 30 and 420 m mostlysouth of Lüderitz. Feeds commonly on smallbony fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods.

Guide to Species 79


distinct yellow spots ondark grey body

no enlarged denticles

only lower-lip groovespresent


numerous dark brown spotson a yellowish body

head broad

lip grooves absent,nostrils separated

from mouth


nostrils connected tomouth by grooves

partial front ventral view

nasal flaps greatly enlarged,overlapping mouth


Galeorhinus galeus(Linnaeus, 1758) TRIAKIDAE

FAO names : En - Tope shark; Fr - Requin-hâ;Sp - Cazón.Local names : Soupfin shark; Sopvinhaai(Ak); Biethai, Hundshai (Gr).Size: To about 2 m.Fisheries : Caught in bottom and pelagictrawls as well as with longlines.Habitat and biology : A pelagic species of thecontinental shelf and upper slope, also occur-ring near the bottom at depths of 2 to 470 m.Feeds on a wide variety of pelagic anddemersal bony fishes such as pilchards, an-chovies, croakers, and breams, and bottominvertebrates such as crabs, shrimps, lob-sters, annelid worms, and sea snails. Sexualmaturity is reached at about 10 years and atabout 130 cm.

Mustelus mustelus(Linnaeus, 1758) TRIAKIDAE

FAO names : En - Smooth-hound; Fr - Emissolelisse; Sp - Musola.Local names : Hondhaai (Ak); SüdlicherGlatthai, Mittelmeer-Glatthai (Gr).Size: To about 1.7 m.Fisheries : Caught in bottom trawls. Com-monly taken by shore anglers.Habitat and biology : A bottom-living spe-cies, sometimes also found in midwaters,mainly on the continental shelf but ranging todepths of at least 350 m, mostly in watersshallower than 50 m. Feeds mainly on crusta-ceans but also on cephalopods, bony fishes,and carrion.

Mustelus palumbesSmith, 1957 (plate II, 13) TRIAKIDAE

FAO names : En - Whitespotted smooth-hound;Fr - Emissole palombe; Sp - Musola paloma.Local names : Witkol-houndhaai (Ak).Size: To 1.2 m.Fisheries : Occasionally caught by bottomtrawlers.Habitat and biology : A demersal shark, oc-curring from the intertidal region to at least adepth of 360 m, on sand and gravel bottoms.Feeds on crabs and other invertebrates.

80 Sharks


dorsal suface uniform grey or grey-brown,sometimes with dark spots 2nd dorsal fin nearly as

large as 1st dorsal fin

snout fairlypointed

upper lateral lip furrows equal toor slightly larger than lower

teeth with lowcrowns andweak cusps,arranged in a

pavement


numerous small white spotson dorsal surface of body

2nd dorsal fin nearly aslarge as 1st dorsal fin

upper lip furrowslonger than lower

snout fairlypointed

ventral view of head upper and lower tooth

2nd dorsal fin markedly smallerthan 1st dorsal fin

lower lobe very long

Triakis megalopterus(Smith, 1849) TRIAKIDAE

FAO names : En - Sharptooth houndshark;Fr - Virli dentu; Sp - Tollo dentudo.Local names : Spotted gullyshark;Gespikkelde sloothaai (Ak).Size: Attains 1.6 m.Fisheries : Commonly caught by shore an-glers.Habitat and biology : An inshore, bot-tom-dwelling shark, mainly on sandy and rockbottoms to a depth of about 50 m. Feeds oncrabs, fishes, and small sharks.

Paragaleus pectoralis(Garman, 1906) HEMIGALEIDAE

FAO names : En - Atlantic weasel shark;Fr - Milandre jaune; Sp - Tiburón comadiza.Local names : Atlantiese weselhaai (Ak).Size: To about 1.4 m.Fisheries : A common catch of the industrialand artisanal fisheries of the Central EasternAtlantic, probably occurring in northernNamibia. Caught in bottom trawls, withlonglines, and hook-and-line.Habitat and biology : On the continentalshelf, to a depth of 100 m. Apparently spe-cialized in feeding on cephalopods.

Carcharhinus brachyurus(Günther, 1870) CARCHARHINIDAE

FAO names : En - Copper shark; Fr - Requincuivre; Sp - Tiburón cobrizo.Local names : Koperhaai (Ak), Kupferhai(Gr).Size: To about 3 m.Fisheries : Taken in bottom trawls and by linegear. Also commonly taken by shore anglersand occasionally by purse seiners.Habitat and biology : Inhabits the continentalshelf from the surfline to a depth of at least100 m. Feeds on a variety of bony fishes, aswell as on other elasmobranchs and inverte-brates. Sexual maturity is reached at the ageof 5 years and a length of approximately2.3 m. Although potentially dangerous to peo-ple, no attacks have been recorded inNamibia.

Guide to Species 81


horizontal, yellow stripes onflanks (fading after death)

height of 2nd dorsal fin more thanhalf height of 1stdorsal fin

1st dorsal fin closer to pectoralfins than to pelvic fins

snoutbroad


upper and lower tooth

teethventral view of head

black spots (absent in young)

snout shortand blunt

teeth with pointed cusps,arranged in pavement

2nd dorsal fin nearly aslarge as 1st dorsal fin

Carcharhinus signatus(Poey, 1868) CARCHARHINIDAE

FAO names : En - Night shark; Fr - Requin denuit; Sp - Tiburón nocturno.Local names :Size: To about 2.8 m.Fisheries : Caught with longlines and occa-sionally in pelagic trawls.Habitat and biology : Coastal tosemioceanic, prefers warm waters and there-fore mostly occurs in northern Namibia nearthe shelf edge, and occurs from the surface toa depth of 600 m. Feeds on bony fishes suchas mackerels, flying fishes, butterfishes, andseabasses.

Prionace glauca(Linnaeus, 1758) (plate II, 14) CARCHARHINIDAE

FAO names : En - Blue shark; Fr - Peaubleue; Sp - Tiburón azul.Local names : Blouhaai (Ak); Blauhai, GroßerBlauhai (Gr).Size: To at least 4 m.Fisheries : A common oceanic shark, caughtmainly with pelagic longlines but also onhook-and-line, pelagic trawls, and bottomtrawls. A frequent bycatch of the swordfishfishery. Occasionally caught by purseseiners.Habitat and biology : A wide ranging,circumglobal oceanic shark, also occurringnear the coast, from the surface to a depth ofabout 150 m. Feeds on smaller bony fishes,cephalopods, small sharks, cetacean carrion,garbage, and seabirds.

Centrophorus granulosus(Bloch and Schneider, 1801) (plate II, 15) SQUALIDAE

FAO names : En - Gulper shark;Fr - Squalechagrin commun; Sp - Quelvacho.Local names : Rauher Dornhai (Gr).Size: To about 1.5 m .Fisheries : Commonly caught with bottomtrawls.Habitat and biology : A large, fairly commondeep-water shark of the outer continentalshelf and upper slope, usually near the bot-tom, between depths of 100 and 1 200 m.Feeds on hake, epigonids, and lantern fishes.Remarks : Reports of Centrophorus uyatoin Namibia are attributable to this species.May be placed in a separate family, theCentrophoridae.

82 Sharks

colour dark blue above, white below

1st dorsal fin about midway betweenpectoral and pelvic fins

pectoral fins longand falcate

upper and lowerteethventral view of head dermal denticles

no precaudal pit

angular, tip usuallylong both upper and lower teeth

broad, blade-like


rear tips elongated

cusplets

snout long andpointed

Centrophorus squamosus(Bonnaterre, 1788) (plate II, 16) SQUALIDAE

FAO names : En - Leafscale gulper shark;Fr - Squale-chagrin de l’Atlantique;Sp - Quelvacho negro.Local names : Düsterer Dornhai (Gr).Size: To about 1.6 m.Fisheries : Caught with line gear and com-mon in bottom trawls. A bycatch of the deep-water fishery.Habitat and biology : Found both pelagic andnear the bottom on the continental slope fromdepths of about 200 to over 2 000 m.Remarks : May be placed in theCentrophoridae

Centroscyllium fabricii(Reinhardt, 1825) SQUALIDAE

FAO names : En - Black dogfish; Fr - Aiguillatnoir; Sp - Tollo negro merga.Local names :Size: Probably to 1 m.Fisheries : Taken in bottom trawls and with linegear. A bycatch of the deep-water orangeroughy fishery.Habitat and biology : A schooling shark, fairlyabundant from the edge of the continental shelfto depths of 1 600 m.Remarks : May be placed in the Etmopteridae.

Centroscymnus coelolepisBocage and Capello, 1864 SQUALIDAE

FAO names : En - Portuguese dogfish;Fr - Pailona commun; Sp - Pailona.Local names :Size: To about 1.2 m.Fisheries : Caught in bottom trawls and with linegear. A bycatch of the deep-water fishery.Habitat and biology : A common, widely dis-tributed deep-water shark, recorded at depthsfrom 270 to over 3 000 m.Remarks : May be placed in Somniosidae.

Guide to Species 83

upper and lower toothventral view of head dermal denticles

no precaudal pit

both upper and lower teethbroad, blade-like

rough, leaf-like

angular, short tip

ventral view of head upper and lowerteeth

rounded

teeth in both jawsnot expanded andblade-like, withnarrow cusps

in trawls, easily sheds scalesgiving a mottled appearance

ventral view of head upper and lower teeth

spines very smallno precaudal pit

upper teethnarrow,

lower teethbroad andblade-like

labial furrows short

snout short

rounded

Centroscymnus crepidater(Bocage and Capello, 1864) SQUALIDAE

FAO names : En - Longnose velvet dogfish;Fr - Pailona à long nez; Sp - Sapata negra.Local names :Size: To 90 cm.Fisheries : Caught mainly in bottom trawls. Abycatch of the deep-water fishery.Habitat and biology : A fairly common sharkof the upper slope, recorded from depths ofabout 250 to over 1 000 m.Remarks : May be placed in Somniosidae

Deania calcea(Lowe, 1839) (plate III, 17) SQUALIDAE

FAO names : En - Birdbeak dogfish; Fr - Squalesavate; Sp - Tollo pajarito.Local names :Size: To 1.1 m.Fisheries : Caught with pelagic and bottomtrawls and with line gear. A bycatch of thedeep-water fisheryHabitat and biology : Found on the deeper partof the shelf and on the upper slope to about adepth of 1 500 m. Feeds on hatchetfishes, scalydragonfishes, and shrimps.Remarks : May be placed in Etmopteridae

Deania profundorum(Smith and Radcliffe, 1912) SQUALIDAE

FAO names : En - Arrowhead dogfish;Fr - Squale savate lutin; Sp - Tollo flecha.Local names :Size: To about 70 cm.Fisheries : Commonly caught in bottom trawls.A bycatch of the deep-water fisheryHabitat and biology : Inhabiting the upper con-tinental slope, from depths of about 250 to1800 m. Feeds on midwater fishes(myctophids), cephalopods, and crustaceans.Remarks : May be placed in Centrophoridae.

84 Sharks

rounded

ventral view of headupper and lower

teethdermal denticles

no precaudal pitspines small

snout long

labial furrows long,almost meeting

upper teeth narrow,lower teeth broad

and blade-like

black overlapping scalesgives black velvety

appearance

1st dorsal fin low,rounded, and long

distances betweenbases of dorsal

fins shorter thansnout length

upper and lowerteeth

dermal denticles

teeth in both jaws broad,but differentiated, upperteeth without cusplets

no low flap of skin

snout very long: distancefrom tip of snout to

mouth much longer thandistance from mouth to

pectoral-fin origin


no precaudal pit

no precaudal pit

snout very long, distance from tip of snout tomouth much longer than distance from

mouth to pectoral-fin origin

low flap of skin onventral midline

Deania quadrispinosum(McCulloch, 1915) SQUALIDAE

FAO names : En - Longsnout dogfish;Fr - Squale-savate à long nez; Sp - Tollotrompalarga.Local names :Size: To about 1.15 m.Fisheries : Occasionally caught in bottomtrawls.Habitat and biology : Occurs in the deeper partof the shelf and on the upper slope, from depthsof about 150 to 750 m. Feeds primarily on bonyfishes. Much less common than the 2 otherspecies of Deania.Remarks : May be placed in Centrophoridae.

Etmopteruscf. brachyurusSmith and Radcliffe, 1912 (plate IX, 71) SQUALIDAE

FAO names : En - Shorttail lanternshark;Fr - Sagre porte-feu à queue courte; Sp - Tollolucero mocho.Local names :Size: To about 42 cm.Fisheries : Caught occasionally in bottomtrawls.Habitat and biology : Found near the bottom indepths between 400 and 900 m.Remarks : Reports of E. luciferare attributableto this species since E. lucifer probably doesnot occur in Southern Africa. May be placed inEtmopteridae.

Etmopterus “gracilispinis”Krefft, 1968 SQUALIDAE

FAO names : En - Broadbanded lanternshark;Fr - Sagre rubane; Sp - Tollo lucerobandoneado.Local names :Size: To about 35 cm.Fisheries : Caught incidentally in bottom trawls.Habitat and biology : Bottom living, at depthsgenerally exceeding 600 m.Remarks : Reports of this species off South Af-rica are most likely attributable to the recentlydescribed E. compagnoiFricke and Koch, 1990.So far this species has been recorded from justsouth of Namibia, but its occurrence in Namibiais probable. May be placed in Etmopteridae.

Guide to Species 85


conspicuous lines of denticles on body

body very slim2nd dorsal fin and fin spine larger

than 1st dorsal fin and spine no precaudal pit

ventral tail markingvery prominent

ventral view of head dermal denticle

1st dorsal fin high,angular, and short

upper and lower teeth

no precaudal pit

teeth in both jaws broad,but differentiated, upperteeth without cusplets

distances between basesof dorsal fins more than

snout length

no low flap of skin

snout very long, distance fromtip of snout to mouth muchlonger than distance from

mouth to pectoral-fin origin

dermal denticles upper and lower tooth

denticles on sides of bodyrandomly arranged

2nd dorsal fin and fin spine largerthan 1st dorsal fin and spine no precaudal pit

upper teeth withsecondary

cusplets, lowerteeth larger,broad, andblade-like

conical

upper teeth with secondarycusplets, lower teeth larger,

broad and blade-like

Etmopterus pusillus(Lowe, 1839) SQUALIDAE

FAO names : En - Smooth lanternshark;Fr - Sagre nain; Sp - Tollo lucero liso.Local names :Size: To about 50 cm.Fisheries : Caught occasionally in bottom andmidwater trawls.Habitat and biology : Benthopelagic at depthsbetween around 400 and 700 m.Remarks : Probably 2 species are lumped un-der this name. May be placed in Etmopteridae.

Scymnodon squamulosus(Günther, 1877) SQUALIDAE

FAO names : En - Velvet dogfish;Fr - Squale-grogneur veloute; Sp - Brujaterciopelo.Local names :Size: To about 70 cm.Fisheries : Occasionally caught in deep-waterbottom trawls.Habitat and biology : Found on the upper conti-nental slope from depths of 430 to 900 m. A lit-tle known shark.Remarks : May be placed in Somniosidae.

Squalus acanthiasSmith and Radcliffe, 1912 SQUALIDAE

FAO names : En - Spotted spiny dogfish;Fr - Aiguillat commun; Sp - Mielga.Local names : Spikkel-penhaai (Ak); Grundhai(Gr).Size: To about 1 m.Fisheries : Incidentally caught in bottom trawls andlonglines. This species is heavily fished in the east-ern North Atlantic.Habitat and biology : Found from near theshore to at least a depth of 900 m, able to toler-ate brackish water, usually near the bottom butoften also appearing at the surface. Feeds onall bony fishes smaller than itself and a wide va-riety of invertebrates. Males attain sexual matu-rity at 50 cm, females at 60 cm. Gestationperiod is 2 years. Probably one of the mostabundant living sharks.

86 Sharks

upper and lower teeth

fin spines small

colour uniform black-brown

no precaudal pit

strong sub-terminalnotch

upper teeth narrow, not blade-like,lower teeth broad, but with high

knife-cusped cutting teeth

rounded


1st dorsal-fin spine short, itsorigin behind pectoral fin

white spots on sides

dermal denticle


upper and lower teethsimilar in shape

lateralkeel no subterminal

notch

precaudal pit


denticles not in regular rows

dermal denticles

2nd dorsal fin and fin spine largerthan 1st dorsal fin and spine

no precaudal pit

low, flat

upper teeth withsecondary

cusplets, lowerteeth larger,broad, andblade-like

Squalus blainvillei(Risso, 1826) SQUALIDAE

FAO names : En - Longnose spurdog;Fr - Aiguillat coq; Sp - Galludo.Local names : Blainvilles Dornhai (Gr).Size: To about 1 m.Fisheries : Caught incidentally in bottom trawlsand on line gear.Habitat and biology : Prefers muddy bottoms,from shallow inshore waters to at least a depthof 450 m. Feeds on bony fishes such asseabreams, mackerel, and percichthyids, andinvertebrates such as crabs, lobsters, andcephalopods.Remarks : There is some question concerningthe validity of the name blainvillei for this spe-cies (Muños-Chapuli and Ramos, 1989), andreports of this species may be attributable to S.mitsukurii.

Squalus megalops(Macleay, 1881) (plate III, 18) SQUALIDAE

FAO names : En - Shortnose spurdog;Fr - Aiguillat nez court; Sp - Galludo ñato.Local names : Bluntnose spiny dogfish;Stompneus-penhaai (Ak).Size: To 70 cm.Fisheries : Commonly caught with bottomtrawls.Habitat and biology : A common and abundantdogfish forming dense and large schools, foundon the outer continental shelf and upper slope atdepths between 50 and 750 m. Feeds on bonyfishes, cephalopods, crustaceans, and otherelasmobranchs. Sexual maturity is attained at42 cm in males and 55 cm in females; gestationperiod is 2 years.

Squalus mitsukuriiJordan and Snyder, 1903 SQUALIDAE

FAO names : En - Shortspine spurdog;Fr - Aiguillat épinette; Sp - Galludoespinilla.Local names : Longnose spiny dogfish;Langneus-penhaai (Ak);Size: To 1.1 m.Fisheries : Caught in large numbers by trawl-ers and by kingklip longliners.Habitat and biology : Moderately commonoffshore. Feeds on bony fishes, includinghake, snoek, conger eels, and lantern fishes,and invertebrates such as squid, octopus,and crustaceans.

Guide to Species 87


dermal denticle

precaudal pit

no subterminalnotch

tip blunt

1st dorsal-fin spine as long as fin base, itsorigin over pectoral fin

upper and lower toothdermal denticles

1st dorsal-fin spine shorter thanfin base, over pectoral fin

precaudal pit

upper and lowerteeth similar in

shape

tip pointed

1st dorsal-fin spine much shorterthan fin base, over pectoral fin


precaudal pit

tip blunt


dermal denticle

Oxynotus centrina(Linnaeus, 1758) OXYNOTIDAE

FAO names : En - Flatiron shark; Fr - Centrinedu Cap; Sp - Cerdo marino del Cabo.Local names : Strykysterhaai (Ak); Meersau,Schweinhai (Gr).Size: To 1.5 m.Fishing gear : Rarely caught by large offshore-trawling fleets.Habitat and biology : Found from depths of 60to 660 m. Feeds on polychaetes.Remarks : Formerly O. shubnikoviwhich wasthought to be distinct from this species, also oc-curring in the eastern North Atlantic and Medi-terranean.

Echinorhinus brucusGarman, 1884 (plate III, 19) ECHINORHINIDAE

FAO names : En - Bramble shark; Fr - Squalebouclé; Sp - Tiburón de clavos.Local names : Braamhaai (Ak); Alligatorhai,Nagelhai, Stachelhai (Gr).Size: To about 3.1 m.Fisheries : Occasionally caught in bottom trawlsand line gear, rarely by shore anglers.Habitat and biology : A bottom-living species,found from shallow waters to a depth of about900 m. Feeds on smaller sharks (spiny dog-fish), bony fishes, and crabs.

Squatina aculeataDumeril, 1829 SQUATINIDAE

FAO names : En - Sawback angelshark; Fr - Angede mer épineux; Sp - Angelote espinudo.Local names : Engelhaai (Ak).Size: To 1.9 m.Fisheries : Taken in bottom trawls and on linegear.Habitat and biology : On the continental shelfand upper slope, between depths of 30 and500 m, usually near the bottom. Feeds on smallsharks and carangids.

Squatina oculataBonaparte, 1840 SQUATINIDAE

FAO names : En - Smoothback angelshark;Fr - Ange de mer ocellé; Sp - Pez ángel.Local names : Engelhaai (Ak).Size: To 1.6 m.Fisheries : Occasionally caught in bottomtrawls.Habitat and biology : Found on the continentalshelf and upper slope, but mainly between 50 and100 m. Feeds on small fishes.

88 Sharks

trunk triangular in cross-section

dermal denticlesventral view of head

large denticles

dorsal view

large spines present onmidline of back

dorsal view

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