Shortnose spurdog (Squalus megalops) fish species and Shortnose spurdog information

Scientific Name
Squalus megalops

Common Name
Shortnose spurdog

Biology
Found on the outer continental shelves and upper slopes, on or near the bottom (Ref. 31367); sublittoral below 130 m (Ref. 11230). Young mostly pelagic off the outer shelves (Ref. 5578). Aggregations by sex are regularly observed (Ref. 6871). Feeds on bony fishes, shrimps and other crustaceans, cephalopods and other elasmobranchs (Ref. 247). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205), with 2 to 4 young in a litter (Ref. 247). Gestation period is 2 years (Ref. 36731). Utilized for human consumption, the flesh most appealing dried salted or smoked (Ref. 6871). Also consumed fresh (Ref. 31367). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 6808.

Classification

Classified By

Macleay, 1881

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Bramble, Sleeper and Dogfish sharks (Squaliformes)

Family

Dogfish sharks (Squalidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Indian Ocean

Distribution

Eastern Indian Ocean: appears to be an Australian endemic. Dogfishes presently referred to in current literature as Squalus megalops appear to belong to a complex of similar species. Specimens from the different regions still need to be compared carefully (Ref. 6871).

Range

42°N - 41°S, 18°W - 169°E

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

9 °C

Water Temperature To

23 °C

Depth From - meters

30 m

Depth To - meters

750 m

Zone

bathydemersal

Environment

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 30 - 750 m (Ref. 27121), usually 80 - 300 m (Ref. 57911)

Trophic Level

4.27 s.e. 0.65 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

71.0 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

High vulnerability (59 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Fec=2)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Data deficient (DD)

Shortnose spurdog (Squalus megalops) fish species and information / pictures of Shortnose spurdog - Squalus megalops

Shortnose spurdog (Squalus megalops) fish species information

Classification

Distribution

Environment

Physical Size and Genetics

Human Uses and Population