Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) >
Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks) >
Pentanchidae (Deepwater catsharks)
Etymology: Asymbolus: Etymology not explained, possibly a-, Latin privative, i.e., without; sym-, from syn (Gr.), together or joined; bolus (L.), lump or morsel, proposed as a subgenus of Scyliorhinus (Scyliorhinidae) distinguished in part by labial fold of upper lip not hanging over lower-jaw symphysis of A. analis and A. vincenti (See ETYFish); parvus: Latin for small, referring to its small relative size within the genus (See ETYFish).
More on authors: Compagno, Stevens & Last.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 160 - 260 m (Ref. 36712). Subtropical
Eastern Indian Ocean: Western Australia.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 34.9 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 36712); 35.7 cm TL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Very small, distinctive, pale brown body with many white spots and blotches; dark brown or black spots absent. Caudal peduncle relatively thin; low anal fin. Preoral length long. Teeth very small, ridged with 5-7 cusps; small, densely imbricated, weakly tricuspidate denticles. Monospondylous centra 34-35.
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk (Ref. 50449).
Compagno, L.J.V., J.D. Stevens and P.R. Last, 1999. Australian spotted catsharks of the genus Asymbolus (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae). Part 1: Descriptions of three new species from western Australia. p. 2-18. In P.R. Last (ed.). Australian catsharks of the genus Asymbolus (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae). (Ref. 36712)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: bycatch
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