Author: Springer, 1966
Field Marks:
A fairly large, stocky dark-saddled catshark without spots, small anterior nasal flaps that end just in front of mouth, no nasoral grooves, labial furrows on lower jaw only, second dorsal fin much smaller than first.
Diagnostic Features:
Head and body relatively broad and wide, greatest width of head about equal to head length; no nasoral grooves; anterior nasal flaps not expanded and falling just short of mouth. First dorsal origin opposite or somewhat anterior to pelvic insertions; second dorsal origin somewhat anterior to anal insertion; interdorsal space slightly greater than anal base. Denticles moderate-sized and flat, skin surface relatively smooth. Colour pattern of 7 or 8 dusky and sometimes obscure saddles, without black or light spots. Size probably large, immature male 49 cm.
Geographical Distribution:
Western North Atlantic: North Carolina south to Florida, USA, and Santaren Channel between Cuba and Bahamas Bank.
Habitat and Biology:
A rare, heavy-bodied deepwater tropicalsubtropical catshark of the continental slope, on or near the bottom at 329 to 548 m depth. Its biology is almost totally unknown.
Size:
Maximum at least 49 cm (immature specimen).
Interest to Fisheries:
None at present.
Remarks:
This species was reduced to a subspecies of S. retifer by Springer and Sadowsky (1970), but later resurrected by Springer (1979) after new material suggested that his earlier action of considering it a full species (Springer, 1966) was correct.
Type material:
Holotype: U.S. National Museum, USNM 188049, 247 mm immature male. Type Locality: Western North Atlantic, off Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, 28° 21'N, 78° 51'W, 329 m depth.