Author: Cervigon, 1961
Field Marks:
Short, blunt snout, high, sail-like dorsal fins with spines, no anal fin, first dorsal spine inclined forward, high, thick, triangular body with large, coarse denticles, small, circular spiracles, lanceolate upper teeth, lower bladelike teeth in less than 12 rows, colour pattern of dark bands on a light background.
Diagnostic Features:
Spiracle small and circular. Supraorbital ridges not greatly expanded and not forming a knob in front of spiracles. Apices of dorsal fins narrowly triangular, posterior margins strongly concave; first dorsal spine inclined forward. Colour grey or brownish, with dark blotches and small spots on head, body, tail, and fins, separated by prominent light areas over pectoral and pelvic fins.
Geographical Distribution:
Western North Atlantic: Venezuela.
Habitat and Biology:
A little-known bottom shark of the upper continental slope off Venezuela and possibly elsewhere in the Caribbean, at depths of 402 to 457 m (bottom temperatures 9.4 to 11.1°C).
Size:
Maximum total length 49 cm (adult male), immatures (male and female) 20 to 21 cm.
Interest to Fisheries:
None at present.
Type material:
Holotype: Museo del Laboratorio de Biologia Pesquera del Ministerio de Agricultura y Cria, Caiguire, Venezuela, 494 mm male, probably adult. Type Locality: 60 miles north of la Blanquilla Island, Venezuela, at 457 m depth.