Author: Fourmanoir and Rivaton, 1979
Field Marks:
A houndshark with a long snout and short gill area, first dorsal small and with its origin far anterior, over the pectoral bases, and lateral eyes, with the subocular ridges obsolete.
Diagnostic Features:
Snout rather long and narrow, preoral length about 1.1 times the mouth width; gill region not greatly expanded, distance from spiracle to 5th gill slit less than prespiracular head; width of longest gill slits much less than eye length; labial furrows rather long, uppers reaching level of lower symphysis. Ventral caudal lobe moderately expanded in adults. Dorsal fins with conspicuous black margins.
Geographical Distribution:
Only known for certain from the type locality, Vate, New Hebrides, but specimens from northwestern Australia may be conspecific. A similar species, if not identical, occurs in the Philippines.
Habitat and Biology:
A little-known, deepwater tropical shark of the New Hebrides uppermost insular slope, found at 250 to 320 m depth. Viviparous, with a yolk-sac placenta; number of young 4 or 5 per litter (2 or 3 per uterus). Eats cephalopods.
Size:
Maximum 75 cm; adult females 62 to 65 cm; size at birth near 23 cm (size of full-term fetuses).
Interest to Fisheries:
None at present.
Remarks:
Inadequately described but undoubtedly distinct.
Type material:
Holotype: Museum National D'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, MNHN 1978-694, 620 mm female, possibly adult. Type Locality: Vate, New Hebrides, from 250 to 320 m depth.