Scientific Name
Pristiophorus nancyae
Common Name
African dwarf sawshark
Biology
This species is poorly known, occurring at the upper continental slope in tropical waters, at depths of 286?500 m. Stomach contents of 8 individuals include an unidentified organic material, partially digested shrimplike crustaceans, and a small decapod shrimp; no fish or cephalopod remains were apparent in the samples. Larger individuals had small puncture marks and elongated parallel cuts on their backs and tails suggestive of combat injuries from the rostra of other sawsharks. Unknown litter size. Caught and discarded as bycatch by offshore shrimp trawlers and other deepwater fisheries operations off Mozambique (Ref. 87357).