African spotted catshark (Holohalaelurus punctatus)

Species facts

Scientific name

Holohalaelurus punctatus

Family

Scyliorhinidae (Cat sharks)

Order

Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks)

Class

Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)

Maximum length

35.0

Depth range

220–440 m (722–1444 ft)

Environment

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 220 - 440 m

Climate

Deep-water

Distribution

Western Indian Ocean: endemic to the subtropical and tropical waters of southwestern Indian Ocean, southern Mozambique, off Natal, South Africa and off Madagascar.Status of threat: a common catch in bottom trawls in Natal and southern Mozambique, yet, despite recent biodiversity trawl surveys in that region, not a single specimen has been collected from this area since 1972. ORI data sheets confirm that specimens collected between 1964 and 1972 were apparently abundant, particularly off Mozambique in May 1969, and off Durban in June 1971. The only specimens of this species that have been collected since this date have been those from Madagascar in the late 1980?s and early 1990?s.

Conservation status (IUCN)

Endangered (EN) (A2abcd+3bcd+4abcd)

Threat to humans

Harmless

Uses

Fisheries: of no interest

Resilience

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