African dwarf sawshark (Pristiophorus nancyae)

Scientific name: Pristiophorus nancyae Ebert & Cailliet, 2011

African dwarf sawshark (Pristiophorus nancyae)

The African dwarf sawshark (Pristiophorus nancyae) is a marine fish of the family Istiophoridae. Native range: Western Indian Ocean, Mozambique. Records from off Somalia and the Arabian Sea off Pakistan apparently different (possibly undescribed species).

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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Pristiophorus nancyae
Family
Istiophoridae (Billfishes)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
62.0
Depth range
286–500 m (938–1640 ft)
Environment
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 286 - 500 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique. Records from off Somalia and the Arabian Sea off Pakistan apparently different (possibly undescribed species).
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated