Starry smooth-hound (Mustelus asterias) fish species and information / pictures of Starry smooth-hound - Mustelus asterias

Starry smooth-hound (Mustelus asterias) fish species information

Scientific Name
Mustelus asterias

Common Name
Starry smooth-hound

Biology
A common inshore and offshore shark found on the continental and insular shelves from the intertidal down to at least 100 m. Prefers sandy and gravelly bottom. Feeds primarily on crustaceans (crabs, hermit crabs, lobsters and slipper lobsters). Ovoviviparous (aplacental), with 7 to 15 young per litter. Size at birth about 30 cm. Utilized fresh and dried salted.

Classification

Classified By

Cloquet, 1821

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Ground sharks (Carcharhiniformes)

Family

Houndsharks (Triakidae)

Distribution

Region

Northeast Atlantic

Distribution

Northeast Atlantic: British Isles and North Sea to Canary Islands, including the Mediterranean and Mauritania.

Range

61°N - 16°N, 19°W - 36°E

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

350 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 350 m (Ref. 6808)

Trophic Level

3.71 s.e. 0.52 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

140 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (52 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (tm=2-3; Fec=7)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)