Family: PENTANCHIDAE, Deepwater Cat Shark, Deepwater Cat Sharks

FAMILY PENTANCHIDAE

DEEPWATER CAT SHARKS

Catsharks are small sharks (to 1.6 m), with slender to moderately stout bodies; eyes horizontal ovals, rudimentary lower eyelids; WITHOUT a cartilaginous crest above each eye ; spiracles present; 5 gill slits, last 2 over the pectoral fin; small, numerous teeth that usually have 1 or more secondary points at side of central main point; intestine with a spiral valve; origin of the first dorsal over or behind the pelvic fins; 2nd dorsal and anal fins relatively large, 2nd dorsal smaller to larger than first dorsal; tail strongly asymmetrical with little or no lower lobe, its top edge straight, sometimes with denticles.

This family of deepwater sharks has 11 genera and 109 species. Three genera and 9 species are in our area.

PREPARED BY D ROSS ROBERTSON, AFTER CARPENTER (2002)