Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) fish species and Greenland shark information

Scientific Name
Somniosus microcephalus

Common Name
Greenland shark

Biology
Found on continental and insular shelves and upper slopes down to at least 1,200 m (Ref. 247) and to as deep as 2,200 m (Ref. 55584). Epibenthic-pelagic (Ref. 58426). In the Arctic and boreal Atlantic, it occurs inshore in the intertidal and at the surface in shallow bays and river mouths during colder months, retreating to depths of 180-550 m when the temperature rises (Ref. 247). Feeds on pelagic and bottom fishes (herring, Atlantic salmon, Arctic char, capelin, redfish, sculpins, lumpfish, cod, haddock, Atlantic halibut, Greenland halibut and skates (Ref. 5951)), sharks and skates (Ref. 5578), seals and small cetaceans, sea birds, squids, crabs, amphipods, marine snails, brittle stars, sea urchins, and jellyfish (Ref. 247, 58240). Petromyzon marinus was reported to have been attached to S. microcephalus (Ref. 58185). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). Also utiliz

Classification

Classified By

Bloch & Schneider, 1801

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Bramble, Sleeper and Dogfish sharks (Squaliformes)

Family

Sleeper sharks (Somniosidae)

Distribution

Region

Arctic and North Atlantic.

Distribution

Arctic and North Atlantic.

Range

83°N - 49°S, 79°W - 66°E

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

1 °C

Water Temperature To

12 °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

2200 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; brackish; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 2200 m (Ref. 247), usually 200 - 600 m (Ref. 35388)

Trophic Level

4.22 s.e. 0.57 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

730 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5313 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Very high vulnerability (90 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Fec=10; assuming tm>10)

Threat To Humans

Poisonous to eat (Ref. 4690)

IUCN Red List Status

Near Threatened (NT)

Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) fish species and information / pictures of Greenland shark - Somniosus microcephalus

Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) fish species information

Classification

Distribution

Environment

Physical Size and Genetics

Human Uses and Population