Black roughscale catshark

9/19/2016

The next shark in our line up belongs in the Scyliorhinidae (catshark) family, and is aptly named for its total black color. The black roughscale catshark (Apristurus melanoasper) is a rather small (reaching a max length of 0.76 m/2.5 ft) deep-watered shark. They are usually found anywhere from 512-1,520 m (1,680-4,987 ft).

Mainly found in the northwest Atlantic Ocean near the continental shelf. They’ve been observed off of France, Ireland and the British Isles- vacation time, anyone? These sharks have also been seen in the northern parts of the USA.

Not much else is known about these sharks- in fact, they’re even uncommon as bycatch! They are probably oviparous, but again, we can’t say anything with certainty. As for food, they probably eat something along the lines of small fish, crustaceans, and molluscs. No sharks have had their stomach contents dissected, however, and this is just an assumption.

The IUCN has assessed the black roughscale catshark as Data Deficient (DD). However, it gives scientists the opportunity to learn more about this mysterious little creature!

ever heard of this shark?

glossary

Benthic zone: The bottom of an ocean or lake.
Bycatch: The part of a fishery’s catch that is made up of non-target species.
Commercial fishery: The activity of catching fish and other seafood for profit.
Continental slope: The steep slope from a continental shelf to the ocean floor; usually around 20 km (12.4 miles) wide and made up of mud and silt substrate.
Crustaceans: Group of animals with a hard exoskeleton, jointed legs and segmented body.
Dorsal side: The top of an animal.
Invertebrates: Animals with no backbone (i.e. crustaceans, jellyfish, corals, sea anemones).
IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Oviparity/oviparous: Where adult Chondrichthyans lay eggcases (also known as ‘mermaid’s purses) and the baby develops inside the egg before hatching.
Recreational fishery: Also called sport fishing, it is fishing for pleasure or competition.