Author: (Jordan and Snyder, 1904)
Field Marks:
Galeus with light mouth, long and narrow snout, prenarial snout shorter than eye, no subcaudal crest, obscure colour pattern, slender body, and small anal fin.
Diagnostic Features:
Precaudal tail not greatly compressed as base. Snout moderately long and narrowly parabolic, preoral length about 5 to 6% of total length; prenarial snout shorter than eye diameter; eyes virtually lateral on head, with slight subocular ridges; mouth moderately large and long, broadly arched, width about 6% of total length; labial furrows moderately long, not confined to mouth corners. Pelvic fins small, low and angular; interspace between pelvic and anal bases much shorter than anal base; anal fin short, its base about 12% of total length and much shorter than intredorsal space; anal origin under anterior half of interdorsal space. No subeaudal crest of enlarged denticles on preventral caudal margin. A colour pattern of obscure dark saddle blotches on body and caudal fin, dorsal fins and caudal tip whitish; mouth lining light. Monospondylous precaudal centra 33 to 36. Size small, adults to at least 40 cm.
Geographical Distribution:
Western North Pacific: Japan, East China Sea, Viet Nam.
Habitat and Biology:
A little-known, but very common small shark in Japanese waters, found in deep water near the bottom. Development oviparous, with a single egg laid per oviduct. In Japanese waters this species shows sexual segregation, with reported schools of mostly females. Egg-case 6 x 1.6 cm.
Size:
Possibly to 50 cm maximum, adult males maturing at about 31 to 32 cm and reaching at least 36 cm; adult females maturing at about 36 to 37 cm and reaching at least 40 cm.
Interest to Fisheries:
None at present.
Remarks:
The illustration is taken from the holotype.
Type material:
Holotype: Stanford University SU-7740, 345 mm female. Type Locality: Off Izu, Japan.