Author: Howell-Rivero, 1936
Field Marks:
A dwarf, slender, brown and obscurely-saddled catshark with large white spots uniformly covering dorsal surface, 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 just short of mouth. First dorsal origin opposite or somewhat behind pelvic insertions; second dorsal origin opposite or behind anal insertion; interdorsal space considerably greater than anal base; claspers without hooks on exorhipidion. Denticles small and flat, surface of skin relatively smooth. Colour pattern of 7 or 8 brown, obscure saddles on a light brown background and numerous large, regularly scattered white spots on dorsal surface; no black spots. Monospondylous precaudal centra 30 to 34. A dwarf species, adults 32 cm and below.
Geographical Distribution:
Western North Atlantic: Southern Florida, USA, Bahamas, northern Cuba.
Habitat and Biology:
An uncommon tropical, deepwater catshark, very localized in distribution, of the upper continental slope of the Florida Straits-Bahamas region; on or near the bottom at depths of 229 to 550 m, with most below 366 m. Biology little-known, eggs and hatchling young unknown.
Size:
Maximum about 32 cm, adult males from 24 to 26 cm, adult females 26 cm.
Interest to Fisheries:
None at present.
Type material:
Holotype: Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard, MCZ 1457, 250 mm female. Type Locality: Off Havana, Cuba.