Zameus squamulosus (Günther, 1877)
Velvet dogfish
Zameus squamulosus
photo by Cambraia Duarte, P.M.N. (c)ImagDOP

Family:  Somniosidae (Sleeper sharks)
Max. size:  84 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 2200 m
Distribution:  Atlantic, Indian and Pacific tropical oceans.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. Black in color, small dorsal fin spines, moderately long snout, small lanceolate teeth without cusplets in upper jaw and large high, knife-cusped cutting teeth in lower jaw, mouth moderately wide and nearly transverse, caudal fin with strong subterminal notch and short lower lobe (Ref. 247).
Biology:  Demersal or pelagic near continental slopes and seamounts in depths of 550-2,000 m (Ref. 6871, 58302). Also found from the surface to 580 m over deep water (Ref. 26346). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). Used dried and salted for human consumption and for fishmeal (Ref. 6871). Caught rarely by longline fisheries operating in deepwater; also caught, but rarely landed, by pelagic tuna longline fisheries (Ref.58048).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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