Angelshark (Squatina squatina) fish species and Angelshark information

Scientific Name
Squatina squatina

Common Name
Angelshark

Biology
This is a benthic species that occurs inshore (5 m), on coasts and estuaries to >150 m on continental shelf. Found mainly on sand or mud bottoms; sluggish by day, lying buried with eyes protruding and swims strongly off bottom at night. Feeds mainly on flatfishes, skates, crustaceans and molluscs with one record of swallowed cormorant. Produce 7-25 pups/litter, increasing with female size; gestation 8-10 months (born Dec.-Feb in Mediterranean, July in England) (Ref. 58085). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Seasonally migratory in colder water, moving northwards in summer. Utilized fresh and dried salted for human consumption, and possibly for oil and fishmeal (Ref. 247). Reaches 250 cm (Ref. 35388).

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Angel sharks (Squatiniformes)

Family

Angel sharks (Squatinidae)

Distribution

Region

Northeast Atlantic

Distribution

Northeast Atlantic: southern Norway, Sweden and Shetland Islands to Morocco and West Sahara, including the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean (Ref. 247).Range and abundance declining severly throughout its range; proposed legal protection in Britain (Ref. 58085).

Range

63°N - 21°N, 19°W - 37°E

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

150 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range ? - 150 m (Ref. 247)

Trophic Level

4.05 s.e. 0.64 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

183 cm

Common Length

150 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: minor commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Very high vulnerability (85 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Fec=9-20)

Threat To Humans

Traumatogenic

IUCN Red List Status

Critically Endangered (CR) (A2bcd+3d+4bcd)

Angelshark (Squatina squatina) fish species and information / pictures of Angelshark - Squatina squatina

Angelshark (Squatina squatina) fish species information

Classification

Distribution

Environment

Physical Size and Genetics

Human Uses and Population