Mustelus mento Cope, 1877
Speckled smooth-hound
photo by Béarez, P.

Family:  Triakidae (Houndsharks), subfamily: Triakinae
Max. size:  141 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 16 - 50 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Peru to southern Chile, including the Galapagos and Juan Fernández Islands.
Diagnosis:  Adults marked by small white spots but sometimes plain colored, while young specimens marked with dark colored bars (Ref. 6032).
Biology:  An inshore and offshore shark found on the continental and insular shelves (Ref. 244). Ovoviviparous, with 7 young in a litter. Size at birth about 30 cm. Utilized for human consumption.
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 07 February 2019 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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