Smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena) fish species and Smooth hammerhead information

Scientific Name
Sphyrna zygaena

Common Name
Smooth hammerhead

Biology
Occurs inshore and well offshore (Ref. 5578), over continental and insular shelves (Ref. 244). Coastal, pelagic, and semi-oceanic, but often bottom associated at 1-139 m (Ref. 58302). Migrates northward in summer; young often in large aggregations of hundreds of individuals (Ref. 13562). Prefers to feed on small sharks, skates and stingrays, but also preys on bony fishes, shrimps, crabs, barnacles and cephalopods (Ref. 244). Viviparous (Ref. 50449). Regarded as being dangerous to people, though only few can be tentatively attributed to this species due to its occurrence in temperate waters (Ref. 244). Reported to cause poisoning (Ref. 4690). Caught occasionally by shark and tuna longline fisheries (Ref.58048). Meat utilized fresh, dried-salted, and possibly smoked for human consumption; liver oil for vitamins, fins for soup, hide for leather, and carcasses

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Ground sharks (Carcharhiniformes)

Family

Hammerhead / bonnethead / scoophead sharks (Sphyrnidae)

Distribution

Region

Widespread in temperate and tropical seas (Ref. 13562). Western Atlantic

Distribution

Widespread in temperate and tropical seas (Ref. 13562). Western Atlantic: Canada to the Virgin Islands; Brazil to Argentina. Eastern Atlantic: British Isles to C?te d'Ivoire, including the Mediterranean. Indo-Pacific: South Africa to Sri Lanka; southern Siberia to Viet Nam (Ref. 13562); southern Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii (Ref. 13562). Eastern Pacific: northern California, USA to Chile.

Range

59°N - 55°S, 180°W - 180°E

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

200 m

Zone

pelagic-oceanic

Environment

Marine; brackish; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous (Ref. 13562); depth range 0 - 200 m (Ref. 5578), usually 0 - 20 m (Ref. 55303)

Trophic Level

4.5 s.e. 0.79 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

500 cm

Common Length

335 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5059 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

Very high vulnerability (82 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec=20-50)

Threat To Humans

Traumatogenic (Ref. 244)

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU) (A2bd+3bd+4bd)

Smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena) fish species and information / pictures of Smooth hammerhead - Sphyrna zygaena

Smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena) fish species information

Classification

Distribution

Environment

Physical Size and Genetics

Human Uses and Population