Author: (Ogilby, 1915)
Field Marks:
See key to species and diagnostic features.
Diagnostic Features:
Prenarial snout 4 to 5% of total length; upper labial furrows short, 0.7 to 1.1% of total length; total count of enlarged hyomandibular pores on both sides of head just behind mouth angle usually over 16 (7 to 11 per side); teeth not serrate; total tooth rows usually 24 to 25/21 to 23. First dorsal origin over pectoral free rear tips; second dorsal origin ranges from above last fourth to sixth of anal base; pectoral anterior margin shorter than first dorsal length from origin to free rear tip; adpressed pectoral apex reaching first third of first dorsal base or ending in front of it. Posterior monospondylous precaudal centra hardly enlarged; precaudal centra less numerous than caudals, precaudals 73 to 80, total counts 135 to 149. Size small, males maturing over 40 cm total length. Colour brownish-grey above, white below, fins light-edged but not conspicuously marked.
Geographical Distribution:
Western South Pacific: Australia (Western and northern Australia, Queensland).
Habitat and Biology:
A little-known but common tropical inshore shark of the Australian continental shelf. Viviparous, with a yolk-sac placenta; number of young 2 per litter.
Size:
Maximum about 67 cm, males adolescent at about 41 cm.
Interest to Fisheries:
Apparently very common and taken in mackeral nets, but utilization not recorded.
Type material:
Holotype:Queensland Museum, 112/738, 637 mm, apparently lost. Type Locality: Townsville, northern Queensland.