Spongehead catshark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spongehead catshark |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Apristurus
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| Species: |
spongiceps
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| Range of the spongehead catshark | |
| Synonyms | |
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Catulus spongiceps Gilbert, 1905 |
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The spongehead catshark (Apristurus spongiceps) is a rare type of deep-sea catshark. It belongs to the Scyliorhinidae family, which are often called "catsharks" because of their cat-like eyes.
This special shark was first discovered from only two samples. One was an adult found near Bird Island in Hawaii. The other was a young shark from the Banda Sea near Sulawesi. These sharks live deep in the ocean, usually on or near the bottom of continental slopes. They can be found at depths from about 570 to 1,480 meters (that's over half a mile deep!). In 2002, people saw a spongehead catshark alive in its natural home for the very first time. This happened using a special underwater vehicle called Pisces IV near the northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
What Does It Look Like?
The spongehead catshark has a thick body and a large head. Its snout is quite long and rounded. It has five pairs of very small gill slits. What's cool is that the skin between its gills has unique folds and pleats. These folds extend above and below, covering its throat.
Its eyes are small, and its nostrils are wide. The mouth is long, wide, and curved. It has many teeth that form wide bands.
Fins and Skin
The spongehead catshark has two dorsal fins (on its back) that are about the same size. Its pectoral fins (on its sides, like arms) are quite small. The pelvic fins (near its belly) are tall and rounded. The anal fin (near its tail) is short, tall, and rounded. Its caudal fin (tail fin) is moderately wide.
The shark's skin is covered in tiny, closely packed dermal denticles. These are like small, tooth-like scales. They make its skin feel fuzzy or like felt. The shark is dark brown all over, and its fins do not have any special markings.
Size and Reproduction
The adult spongehead catshark that was first studied measured about 51.4 centimeters (about 20 inches) long. The young shark found was much smaller, only about 10.5 centimeters (about 4 inches) long. The younger shark was thinner but had the same unique pleated gills as the adult.
The adult shark that was studied was a female carrying eggs. This suggests that the spongehead catshark is oviparous. This means it lays eggs, rather than giving birth to live young.
Special Features
The spongehead catshark belongs to a group of sharks called the A. spongiceps species group. Sharks in this group have a short, wide snout. They also have a special part of their intestine called a spiral valve with seven to 12 folds. Their upper lip grooves are about the same length as or shorter than their lower lip grooves. They also have a continuous sensory canal above their eyes.
See also
In Spanish: Apristurus spongiceps para niños
