Author: (Tanaka, 1908)
Field Marks:
A fairly small, slender, dark-saddled catshark with or without scattered large irregular dark and light spots, very rough skin, small anterior nasal flaps that do not reach mouth, no nasoral grooves, labial furrows on lower jaw only, second dorsal fin much smaller than first.
Diagnostic Features:
Head and body relatively deep, slender and narrow. Greatest width of head about 2/3 of head length; no nasoral grooves; anterior nasal flaps not expanded and falling in front of mouth. First dorsal origin about opposite pelvic insertions; second dorsal origin well anterior to anal insertion; interdorsal space considerably greater than anal base; claspers with a row of strongly differentiated hooks on exorhipidion. Denticles large and erect, surface of skin very rough. Colour pattern of 6 to 9 obscure dusky saddles, interspersed in larger specimens by many irregular large dark and light spots. Monospondylous precaudal centra 33 to 38. Size moderate, adults below 50 cm.
Geographical Distribution:
Western North Pacific: Japan, Korea, China, and the Philippines.
Habitat and Biology:
A common catshark of the western Pacific continental shelf, from close inshore down to at least 100 m depth. In Japanese waters the species seems to be a year-round resident, with little seasonal migration.
Oviparous, with only one egg laid per oviduct at a time, and with most of the embryonic development occurring after the egg is laid. Eggcases about 2 by 6 cm long, deposited in a definite nursery or hatching ground.
Size:
Maximum about 48 cm, adult males 41 to 48 cm, adult females 39+ cm, size at hatching 8+ cm.
Interest to Fisheries:
Unknown.
Remarks:
Springer (1979) questioned the validity of Nakaya's (1975) listing of this shark from the Philippines.
Type material:
Holotype: Zoological Institute, Science College, Imperial University of Tokyo, no. 953, ca. 449 mm adult male. Type Locality: Misaki, Sagami Province, Japan.