Author: (Günther, 1878)
Field Marks:
A Halaelurus with rounded snout, long abdomen, short anal base, about 1.3 times the first dorsal base, usually plain dark brown coloration, and large size.
Diagnostic Features:
Snout tip not upturned and knoblike, bluntly rounded; eyes in adults 9 to 12 times in distance from snout to first dorsal origin; anterior nasal flaps subtriangular; labial furrows rather short, essentially confined to mouth corners, but lowers extending at least 5 mm onto lower jaw; mouth large, its width 8 to 10% of total length, its length 4 to 5% of total length; oral papillae probably present in pharynx unknown; gills directed laterad, not elevated above level of mouth. First dorsal origin over first third of pelvic bases; second dorsal slightly larger than first, its origin anterior to anal midbase; abdomen moderately elongated in adults, distance between pectoral and pelvic bases 1.2 to 1.5 times the pectoral anterior margin; length of anal base about 1.3 times the second dorsal base, slightly shorter than distance between dorsal bases. Colour dark chocolate brown, without markings except for white fin tips in young. Adults moderately large, 45 to 66 cm long.
Geographical Distrioution:
Eastern South Pacific: Peru, Chile, Straits of Magellan.
Habitat and Biology:
A common temperate deepwater catshark of the upper continental slopes of South America, primarily on mud, but also on rock bottoms at 250 to 700 m depth. Oviparous, apparently laying a single egg per oviduct at a time. Feeds on bottom invertebrates.
Size:
Maximum 70 cm, adult males 59 to 65 cm, adult females 59 to 66 cm.
Interest to Fisheries:
None at present, abundant in deepwater trawl hauls.
Type material:
Holotype: British Museum (Natural History). Type Locality: "South-west coast of South America".