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Trees- ShrubsSmall-Spotted Catshark ( Scyliorhinus canicula )
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Scyliorhinus canicula is a small benthic shark of 25-50cm (1), reaching a maximum of approximately 100cm (1; 2). The snout is shorter than the width of the mouth and the nostrils join to the mouth with depressed sections of the upper lip (2); these depressions are covered by large nasal flaps (1; 2). The teeth have small cusps, this is similar in both jaws (1), the upper labial furrows are absent and a large spiracle is found behind the eyes (1; 2).
The small-spotted catshark has two dorsal fins, both are behind the midpoint; the smaller, second dorsal fin has its origin level with the hind end of the anal fin base (1; 2; 3). S. canicula has a brown colouration, the upper surface is covered in small dark spots, the lower surface, is unmarked (1; 2; 3).
There are 15 species in the Genus Scyliorhinus; S. stellaris is the only other species within the Mediterranean (1; 3).
The small-spotted catshark is an active hunter at night and as with all sharks, relatively shy (4). Their highly developed sensory ampullae allow them to detect low-frequency vibrations and scent from great distances; although they are not known to attack humans (4).
S. canicula is a benthic species that inhabits the soft and hard substratum, which is often covered in algae; they have a depth range of 50-400m (1; 2; 3). Sometimes, the species can be found midwater (3).
The spawning season for the small-spotted catshark is from November to June (1; 2); the females reaching productivity at the start of winter, and the males join them after a few months (1). S. canicula is oviparous, the eggs are a horny-cased rectangular shape with tendrils at the corners (1; 3); the pups have a size of approximately 7-10cm (1; 2).
S. canicula is found in the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas; they are also found in the Atlantic northward to the Shetlands, also found south to Senegal (1; 2; 3).
The small-spotted catshark is carnivorous, feeding on crustaceans, molluscs, polychaetes and fish (1; 2; 3).
Not evaluated under the IUCN Redlist (5).
Description written by Ben Harvey (2009)
(1) Golani, D., Özturk, B. and Başusta, N. 2006. Fishes of the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkish Marine Research Foundation, Istanbul, Turkey. 259pp.
(2) Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema Naturae, ed. X, vol. 1, 824 pp. Nantes & Pisces: pp. 230-338. (Reprint, 1956, London.)
(3) 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. FAO Fish. Synop. 125:251-655.
(4) Wood, L. 2002. Sea fishes and Invertebrates of the Mediterranean Sea. London:New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd. 128pp.
(5) IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 05 August 2009.
