Smallmouth knifetooth dogfish (Scymnodon obscurus) fish species and information / pictures of Smallmouth knifetooth dogfish - Scymnodon obscurus

Smallmouth knifetooth dogfish (Scymnodon obscurus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Scymnodon obscurus

Common Name
Smallmouth knifetooth dogfish

Biology
Usually found on or near the bottom. Feeds on bottom fishes including its congener, Scymnodon ringens, and invertebrates. Probably ovoviviparous. Utilized dried salted for human consumption and for fishmeal.

Classification

Classified By

Vaillant, 1888

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Bramble, Sleeper and Dogfish sharks (Squaliformes)

Family

Sleeper sharks (Somniosidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: northern Gulf of Mexico, Suriname, and southern Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Iceland and Faeroe Ridge to Madeira, Morocco, Cape Verde, Senegal, and northwest Africa. Very close to Scymnodon squamulosus and might be a junior synonym of it (Ref. 247). Not in Compagno's 1999 checklist

Range

65°N - 36°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

1450 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 1450 m (Ref. 247), usually 550 - 1450 m

Trophic Level

3.97 s.e. 0.60 Based on food items.

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

70.0 cm

Common Length

40.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (31 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated