Name
Scyliorhinus canicula
small-spotted catshark
Framing
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Elasmobranchii
Order: Carchariniformes
Genus: Scyliorhinus
Species: canicula
Habitat
Marine. Benthic. On soft and rocky bottoms from shallow waters to 750 m depth.
Feeding
Free life. Solitary. Predator of benthic invertebrates (molluscs, crustaceans, etc.).
Distribution
Frequent in the eastern Atlantic and the whole Mediterranean Sea
Conservation status
Not threatened
Additional information
Small shark (usually less than 75 cm) with a slender body and flattened head. The nostrils are connected to the mouth by two small canals. Colouring of the back yellowish with abundant small brown spots from which it derives its common name. Oviparous reproduction, laying isolated eggs protected by a horny covering that is attached to vegetation or organisms on the seabed by filaments. There are two other species of similar appearance (alitan and blackmouth). The first, of the same genus (S. stellaris) has larger spots and is spatially segregated, preferring hard bottoms. The second (Galeus melastomus) has the spots aligned in rows and normally lives below 200 m depth.
Additional information
Bibliography
- Corbera, J., Sabatés, A. y A. García- Rubios, 1996. Peces del Mar de la Península Ibérica. Planeta. 312 pp.- Lythgoe, J. y G. Lythgoe, 1991. Guía de los Peces de Mar del Atlántico Norte y del Mediterráneo.Omega. Barcelona. 256 pp.- Lloris, D. 2015. Ictiofauna marina. Manual de identificación de los peces marinos de la Península Ibérica y Baleares. Omega. 674 pp. Biblioteca del Departamento de Zoología- Peña, L. y Garrido, A. (2013) Peces singulares de la Costa Tropical. Concejalía de Gestión del Territorio y Medio Ambiente del Ayuntamiento de Motril. (pdf)