Squatina albipunctata Last & White, 2008
Eastern Angel Shark
Squatina albipunctata
photo by Last P.R. & W.T. White

Family:  Squatinidae (Angel sharks)
Max. size:  98.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); 56.6 cm TL (female); max.weight: 17 kg
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 37 - 415 m
Distribution:  Pacific: Australia. Occurs off eastern Australia between Cairns, Queensland and Lakes Entrance, Victoria (Ref. 74939).
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 134-139. Body robust, strongly depressed anteriorly, firm. Trunk similarly depressed, almost ray-like, deepest over abdomen. Not tapering abruptly at pelvic-fin insertion, tail strongly depressed, even at origin of caudal fin. Abdomen moderately elongate. Head broad, extended laterally, strongly depressed; oval in cross-section; Pectoral fins very large, expanded, base very fleshy; Pelvic fins large, elongate; Dorsal fins similar in size and shape, somewhat upright, close together; Dermal denticles densely covering entire dorsal surface of body (Ref. 74939).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 20 February 2015 (A2bd+3bd+4bd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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