Southern Mandarin dogfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Southern Mandarin dogfish |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cirrhigaleus
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| Species: |
australis
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| This is the range of C. australis and C. barbifer. Australis is in light blue, and barbifer in dark blue. | |
The southern Mandarin dogfish (Cirrhigaleus australis) is a type of dogfish shark. It belongs to the Cirrhigaleus group of sharks.
Scientists first identified this shark as a separate species in 2007. They found it during an expedition near Australia's coral reefs. Before this, it was thought to be the same as the Cirrhigaleus barbifer, which lives in the North Pacific Ocean.
Today, we know the southern Mandarin dogfish lives in the cooler waters of south-eastern Australia. It is also found in the Bay of Plenty region in New Zealand. These sharks live deep underwater, usually between 146 and 640 metres.
What Does It Look Like?
The southern Mandarin dogfish is a medium-sized shark. It has a strong, sturdy body compared to other dogfish sharks. Its back is grey-brown, and its belly is pale. The edges of its pectoral and pelvic fins are white.
These sharks usually grow to be less than one metre long. However, some have been found to reach 1.25 metres. This shark has smaller eyes, pectoral fins, dorsal fins, and spines than its close relative.
Its first dorsal fin is medium-sized and points slightly backward. The second dorsal fin is shaped similarly but is a bit smaller. The pectoral fins are quite large. Both of its dorsal spines are long. It also has long, whisker-like parts called barbels near its mouth. These barbels are why it's called "Mandarin." It has about 115 bones along its back.
Scientists say this shark is harmless to humans. Its ways of defending itself are not very strong against bigger fish. This means it can easily be caught by other sharks and larger fish. Also, the southern Mandarin dogfish population grows very slowly. It takes about 14 years for its numbers to double.
How Was It Discovered?
In 2007, a team of scientists from CSIRO went on a trip. They spent time exploring the eastern coast of Australia. Their goal was to find new species.
During this trip, they found hundreds of new ocean species. This included the southern Mandarin dogfish, which they identified as a new species. They also discovered new skates, sea stars, corals, bivalves, brachiopods, and many types of marine arthropods.
The scientists conducted their research in three separate trips. Each trip lasted three weeks. Two of these trips were to the Great Barrier Reef. They explored areas near Lizard Island and Heron Island. The third trip was to the Ningaloo Reef on Australia's northwest coast.
Conservation Status
In June 2018, the New Zealand Threat Classification System looked at the southern Mandarin dogfish. The New Zealand Department of Conservation decided to classify it as "At Risk – Naturally Uncommon." This means it's not very common in nature. They also added "Data Poor" (meaning not enough information) and "Threatened Overseas" (meaning it's at risk in other places).
See also
In Spanish: Cirrhigaleus australis para niños
