Squatina nebulosa

Author: Regan, 1906

Field Marks:
An angelshark Wvith simple, tapering nasal barbels and weakly fringed or smooth anterior nasal flaps, dermal flaps on sides of head with two angular lobes, large eyes with interspace between them and spiracles less than 1.5 times eye diameter, fairly broad and posteriorly rounded pectoral fins, and no ocelli on body.

Diagnostic Features:
Trunk fairly broad. Anterior nasal barbels simple and with a narrow, tapering tip; posterior margin ot anterior nasal flaps between nasal barbels and tips weakly fringed or smooth; distance from eye to spiracle less than 1.5 times eye diameter; dermal folds on sides of head with two triangular lobes. First dorsal origin about opposite rear tips of pelvics. Pectoral fins rather broad and high, with broadly rounded free rear tips. Small spines present on midline of back and tail from head to dorsal fins and between the fin bases, and on snout and above eyes. Colour: no ocelli on body.

Geographical Distribution:
Western North Pacific: Southeastern Sea of Japan to Taiwan Island, including Japan, the Koreas, China.

Habitat and Biology:
A little-known temperate water angel shark of the western Pacific continental shelves, found on or near the bottom.

Size:
Maximum total length in females at least 163 cm.

Interest to Fisheries:
Taken off China, but details of fishery unknown; probably taken elsewhere in its range.

Type material:
Holotype: British Museum (Natural History), 580 mm. Type Locality: Japan.

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