Parascyllium ferrugineum

Author: McCulloch, 1911

Field Marks:
Inconspicuous dusky collar around the gills, with three or four dark spots, dusky saddles on back and tail, and sparse, large dark spots on body, tail and fins, nasal barbels, nasoral and circumnarial grooves present, mouth in front of eyes, two equal-sized, spineless dorsal fins and an anal fin, the first dorsal origin behind the pelvic bases, the anal fin origin well in front of the second dorsal origin.

Diagnostic Features:
Colour grey brown with six dusky saddles on trunk, tail and caudal fin; an indistinct dark, unspotted collar marking around gill region, with three or four dark spots; sparse, scattered, large dark brown spots on sides and fins, no more than three or four irregular rows of spots on sides.

Geographical Distribution:
Western South Pacific: Confined to Australian waters (Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania).

Habitat and Biology:
A common, little-known temperatewater shark of the Australian continental shelf, on or near bottom at depths of 37 to 55 m. Probably oviparous.

Size:
Maximum total length 75 cm, male adult at 75 cm, female adolescent at 74 cm; probably hatchling about 17 cm.

Interest to Fisheries:
Probably none at present. Captured in bottom trawls.

Type material:
Holotype: Australian Museum, Sydney. Type Locality: Off Port Phillip Heads, Victoria, Australia.

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