Author: (Whitley, 1928)
Field Marks:
The only scyliorhinid with a double caudal crest and prominent saddle markings.
Diagnostic Features:
Precaudal tail not compressed at base. Snout moderately long and subangular, preoral length about 7% of total length; eyes dorsolateral on head, with narrow subocular ridges; mouth fairly large and long, broadly arched, its width about 8% of total length; labial furrows moderately long, not confined to mouth corners. Pelvic fins small, low, and angular; interspace between pelvic and anal bases subequal to anal base; anal base short, 11% of total length, less than interdorsal space; a well-developed subeaudal crest of enlarged denticles on preventral caudal margin, extending onto ventral surface of caudal peduncle. A colour pattern of variegated dark, saddle blotches on body and dark bands on caudal fin, saddles welldefined and outlined with whitish; saddled blotches usually present on back and tail and 12 or 13 in number; no additional dark spots on flanks; dorsal fins and caudal tip without black terminal marking; mouth lining light. Size moderate, adults to 61 cm.
Geographical Distribution:
Western South Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean: southern coasts of Australia from New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South and Western Australia.
Habitat and Biology:
A little-known but common Australian catshark of temperate and subtropical waters, from the outer continental shelf and upper slope, presumably on or near bottom at depths from 128 to 823 m.
Size:
Maximum about 61 cm, males mature at 54 cm.
Interest to Fisheries:
None?
Remarks:
The writer examined the holotype in the Australian Museum (Sydney), from which the illustration is derived. The species differs from some other species of Galeus, including G. arae, G. melastomus, G. murinus, G. eastmani, and G. sauteri, in lacking twisted terminal tips on its claspers. Whitley (1939, 1940) considered specimens from the Great Australian Bight as a separate subspecies, Figaro boardmani socius; this was based on apparent differences in colour pattern from typical boardmani from New South Wales.
Type material:
Holotype: Australian Museum, Sydney, AMS IA.2483, 540 mm adult male. Type Locality: NNE of Montague Island, New South Wales, Australia, depth of 165 m.