Family SQUATINIDAE
Angel Sharks, Angelsharks
Compiler and date details
1 May 2011 - Douglass F. Hoese, Jennifer E. Gates & Matthew M. Lockett
Introduction
The Squatinidae includes a single tropical and warm temperate genus with 15 described species. Compagno et al. (2005), however, listed 20 known species including many undescribed. Four species are known from Australian waters (Last & Stevens 1994, 2009; Compagno & Niem 1998).
Angel sharks are found throughout the world, except for much of the Indian Ocean and central Pacific Ocean. They generally occur over, and bury in, soft sand or mud, from the intertidal to depths of 1300 m. They are ovoviviparous and prey on fishes and invertebrates. Most angel sharks are less than 1.5 m long, but Squatina tergocellata reaches only about 60 cm.
Angel sharks are poorly known and are in need of revision. Bigelow & Schroeder (1948) treated Atlantic species and provided a key to the known species. Compagno (1984) reviewed current knowledge of the group.
General References
Bigelow, H.B. & Schroeder, W.C. 1948. Sharks. In, Parr, A.E. (ed.) Fishes of the western North Atlantic. Memoir. Sears Foundation of Marine Research 1(1): 59-546 figs 6-106
Compagno, L.J.V. & Niem, V.H. 1998. Families Squatinidae, Heterodontidae, Parascylliidae, Brachaeluridae, Orectolobidae, Hemiscylliidae. pp. 1235-1259 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 2 687-1396 pp.
Common Name References
Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Canberra : CSIRO Australia 513 pp. 84 pls. [277] (Angel Sharks)
History of changes
Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
16-Apr-2012 | 16-Apr-2012 | MODIFIED | ||
12-Feb-2010 | (import) |