Squatina argentina

Author: (Marini, 1930)

Field Marks:
An angelshark with simple spatulate nasal barbels and weakly fringed or smooth anterior nasal flaps, dermal flaps on sides of head without angular lobes, small eyes with interspace between them and spiracles about 2.5 times eye diameter, fairly broad and posteriorly broadly rounded or angular pectoral fins, and no ocelli on body.

Diagnostic Features:
Trunk moderately narrow. Anterior nasal barbels simple and with a narrowly spatulate tip; posterior margin of anterior nasal flaps between nasal barbels and tips weakly fringed or smooth; distance from eye to spiracle about twice eye diameter; dermal folds on sides of head without triangular lobes. First dorsal origin behind pelvic rear tips; pectoral fins rather broad, with broadly rounded or subangular free rear tips. Probably spines of midline of back and head small. Colour: no ocelli on body.

Geographical Distribution:
Western South Atlantic: Southern Brazil to Argentina.

Habitat and Biology:
A common but poorly known temperate and subtropical angelshark of the western South Atlantic continental shelf and slope, on or near the bottom.

Size:
Maximum total length 170 cm.

Interest to Fisheries:
Presumably taken by bottom trawlers.

Type material:
Holotype: In Museo Nacional, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 455 mm immature male. Type Locality: Off province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, at about 39°S and 56°W.

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