Scymnodalatias sherwoodi (Archey, 1921)
Sherwood dogfish
photo by FAO

Family:  Somniosidae (Sleeper sharks)
Max. size:  80.3 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: New Zealand. Possibly occurring off Australia (Ref. 6871).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0. Dark brown or black with a grey blaze on the back behind the eyes (Ref. 26346). Scymnodon-like, but with no dorsal spines and the first dorsal fin slightly more posterior than in Scymnodon species; snout somewhat flattened, not bulbous, lower teeth with very high, erect or semi-erect cusps, distal blades and no serrations, first dorsal on middle of back behind pectoral fins, caudal fin asymmetrical, with a short lower lobe, fins without prominent light edges (Ref. 247).
Biology:  A rare species (Ref. 26346) presumably inhabiting the insular slope of New Zealand (Ref. 247). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 23 June 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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