Flaccid catshark
The flaccid catshark (Apristurus exsanguis) is a catshark of the family Scyliorhinidae. It is endemic to the waters around New Zealand.
| Flaccid catshark | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Order: | Carcharhiniformes |
| Family: | Scyliorhinidae |
| Genus: | Apristurus |
| Species: | A. exsanguis |
| Binomial name | |
| Apristurus exsanguis | |
 | |
Distribution
This species is found only around New Zealand, although this species' collection records indicate it is widespread and probably continuously distributed over the mid- to lower slope around New Zealand.[2]: 80 The biology of all Apristurus species within the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone is very poorly known due to the uncertain taxonomy of the group.[2]: 75 They appear to be most abundant below 1,000 m, and are the only sharks regularly taken in research trawls below 1,200 m on the Chatham Rise.[2]: 80 As relatively little fishing occurs below 1,200 m, a large part of their population may be effectively beyond fishing depths.[3]
Conservation status
The New Zealand Department of Conservation has classified the flaccid catshark as "Data deficient" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[4]
References
- Finucci, B.; Kyne, P.M. (2018). "Apristurus exsanguis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T41719A116736644. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T41719A116736644.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- Roberts, Clive; Stewart, A. L.; Struthers, Carl D.; Barker, Jeremy; Kortet, Salme; Freeborn, Michelle (2015). The fishes of New Zealand. Vol. 2. Wellington, New Zealand: Te Papa Press. ISBN 9780994104168. OCLC 908128805.
- Leonard J. V., Compagno; Dando, Marc; Fowler, Sarah L. (2005). Sharks of the world. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0691120720. OCLC 57718990.
- Duffy, Clinton A. J.; Francis, Malcolm; Dunn, M. R.; Finucci, Brit; Ford, Richard; Hitchmough, Rod; Rolfe, Jeremy (2016). Conservation status of New Zealand chondrichthyans (chimaeras, sharks and rays), 2016 (PDF). Wellington, New Zealand: Department of Conservation. p. 9. ISBN 9781988514628. OCLC 1042901090.