False Catshark, Pseudotriakis microdon Capella, 1868

ANIMAL SPECIES:False Catshark, Pseudotriakis microdon Capella, 1868

The False Catshark is a is a deep-sea ground shark with elongated cat-like eyes. It is found in continental slope and insular slope waters.

Identification

The False Catshark is a soft-bodied fish that has a long first dorsal fin and a small lower caudal fin lobe. It has elongated cat-like eyes and a very large mouth with a wide gape. The species is dark brown to grey. The fin edges may be darker.

Size range

Female False Catsharks grow to about 3 m in length. Males reach a maximum length of about 2.7 m.

Distribution

The species is known from numerous localities in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of False Catshark specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The False Catshark occurs in continental and insular slope waters usually in depths between 200 m and 1500 m. It is rarely caught over the continental shelf.

Behaviour and adaptations

Feeding and Diet

Prey items are yet to be confirmed but probably include bony fishes, sharks, rays and invertebrates.

Classification

Species:: microdon
Genus:: Pseudotriakis
Family:: Pseudotriakidae
Order:: Carcharhiniformes
Class:: Chondrichthyes
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Phylum:: Chordata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

References

Compagno, L.J.V. 1984. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 4, Sharks of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 2 - Carcharhiniformes: 251-655. \
Fishbase: Pseudotriakis microdon. [Online January 2003].
Tricas, T.C., McCosker, J.E., & T.I. Walker. in Taylor, L. (Ed). 1997. Sharks & Rays. Harper Collins. Pp.288.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 24 August 2010

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