Author: (Collett, 1904)
Field Marks:
A Galeus with large round pelvic fins, a cylindrical precaudal tail, a subcaudal crest of denticles, and no colour pattern.
Diagnostic Features:
Precaudal tail not noticeably compressed at base. Snout moderately long and parabolic, preoral length about 7 to 8% of total length; prenarial snout less than eye length; eyes slightly dorsolateral, subocular ridge very narrow; mouth fairly large and long, broadly arched; its width 7 to 8% of total length; labial furrows moderately long, not confined to mouth corners. Pelvic fins very large, high, and broadly rounded; interspace between pelvic and anal bases much shorter than anal base; anal base short, about 12 to 13% of total length, but much greater than interdorsal space; anal origin just behind first dorsal insertion; a strong subeaudal crest of enlarged denticles on preventral caudal margin and underside of caudal peduncle. Colour uniform brown above, slightly lighter below, without black tips on dorsal and caudal fins; mouth lining dark. Size moderate, adults to at least 63 cm.
Geographical Distribution:
Eastern North Atlantic: Iceland and Faeroes.
Habitat and Biology:
A little-known, but moderately common deepwater shark of the eastern Atlantic continental slopes, on or near the bottom at depths from 475 to 1200 m.
Size:
Maximum at least 63 cm (adult male).
Interest to Fisheries:
None.
Remarks:
Springer (1979) recently placed this species in synonymy of G. melastomus, ranking it as a subspecies (G. melastomus murinus). However, the author's examination of series of murinus in the collections of the Institut fur Seefischerei, Hamburg, and comparison of them with G. melastomus indicates that these two species are distinct. Adult G. murinus differs from adult G. melastomus in having longer labial furrows, a broader internarial space, a broader and blunter head, smaller pectoral fins, less elongated, more broadly rounded anal and pelvic fins, a more anterior first dorsal origin, a longer trunk and shallower caudal peduncle, a second caudal crest of enlarged denticles on the preventral caudal margin (as in G. boardmani but unlike other species of Galeus), and no dark blotches on sides. The author follows Springer (1973, 1979) in synonymizing G. jenseni with this species.
Type material:
Holotype: Zoologisok Museum, Oslo, Norway, ZMO Michael Sars stn. 76, 222 mm, immature female. Type Locality: Eastern Atlantic, Faeroe Channel at 1200 m.