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Pacific angelshark (Squatina californica) fish species and information / pictures of Pacific angelshark - Squatina californica

Pacific angelshark (Squatina californica) fish species information

Scientific Name
Squatina californica

Common Name
Pacific angelshark

Biology
Found on the continental shelf and littoral areas (Ref. 247).A sluggish and inactive species that buries itself in sand or mud (Ref. 247). Also found around rocks, heads of submarine canyons, and sometimes near kelp forests (Ref. 247). Feeds on bottom and epibenthic fishes, including croakers, California halibut, and squid (Ref. 247). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Can whip up its head and snap very quickly when touched, provoked, harassed, or speared, and can inflict painful lacerations (Ref. 247).

Classification

Classified By
Ayres, 1859
Class
Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)
Order
Angel sharks (Squatiniformes)
Family
Angel sharks (Squatinidae)

Distribution

Region
Eastern Pacific
Distribution
Eastern Pacific: southeastern Alaska to Gulf of California; Costa Rica to southern Chile.
Range
60°N - 22°N, 139°W - 104°W

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
3 m
Depth To - meters
205 m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 3 - 205 m (Ref. 9253), usually 3 - 46 m (Ref. 54903)
Trophic Level
4.14 s.e. 0.56 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
152 cm
Common Length
Unknown cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial
Vulnerability
High vulnerability (65 of 100)
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (K=0.15-0.16; tm=8-13; tmax=35; Fec=6)
Threat To Humans
  Traumatogenic (Ref. 247)
IUCN Red List Status
  Near Threatened (NT)