Author: (Smith, 1949)
Field Marks:
Dorsal fins with spines, anal fin present, colour pattern of white spots on dark background.
Diagnostic Features:
Supraorbital ridges moderately high, ending abruptly behind eyes; molariform teeth in rear of mouth not greatly expanded and rounded, with a strong medial ridge. First dorsal origin over pectoral bases; apex of anal fin falling slightly ahead of lower caudal origin when laid back; anal base length slightly less than twice in space between anal insertion and lower caudal origin. Colour dark reddish brown with numerous small white spots. Eggcases unknown.
Geographical Distribution:
Western Indian Ocean: Southern Mozambique, eastern shore of the Arabian Peninsula.
Habitat and Biology:
A rare and little-known benthic shark of the outer continental shelf and uppermost slope of East Africa and the eastern Arabian Peninsula, unusual for the family in being a deepwater species found at 108 to 275 m. Presumably oviparous, but egg cases have not been reported to date. Crabs have been found in the stomachs of two individuals.
Size:
Maximum total length 83 cm for adult females, males to at least 64 cm.
Interest to Fisheries:
None, occasionally caught by commercial bottom trawlers.
Type material:
Holotype: Natural History Museum, Maputo, Mozambique, 585 mm female. Type Locality: Imhambane, Mozambique.