Classification / Names
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Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) >
Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks) >
Dichichthyidae (Bristle shark)
Etymology: Dichichthys: Name from the combination of the Greek 'dicho'- meaning 'to branch in two' and 'ichthys' for 'fish', with this genus being intermediate between the Galeus-Parmaturus complex and Apristurus; satoi: Named after Dr Keiichi Sato (Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium), whose extensive work on the taxonomy of deepwater catsharks has been crucial for the field.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 666 - 1175 m (Ref. 130868). Subtropical; 32°S - 40°S (Ref. 130868)
Distribution
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Point map | Introductions | Faunafri
Southwest Pacific: New Zealand.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 97.3 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 130868); 104.6 cm TL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Vertebrae: 133 - 143. This large bristle shark is distinguished by the following set of characters: preanal length, 58.1-62.1% TL; pre-first dorsal length, 50.5-53.4% TL; prenarial length is moderately long, 4.0-5.2% TL; head is depressed, its height 0.6-1.1 times its width; mouth is moderately wide, its width 9.0-11.4% TL; lower labial furrows is distinctly longer than uppers (uppers 1.4-2.0% TL, lowers 2.0-2.8% TL); anal-fin is moderately large, its base 11.0-12.0% TL, posterior margin, 5.4-7.4% TL; pectoral–pelvic space, 21.2-26.1% TL; teeth in 102-106 files in upper jaw and ca. 94-101 lower jaw; vertebrae: monospondylous centra, 45-47; precaudal centra, 95-101; total centra, 133-143; body uniformly medium brown to greyish brown; fins with white margins, variable but mostly broad; (Ref. 130868).
Cross section: oval.
The stomach of the gravid female paratype (CSIRO H 9287-01), from which the reproductive
tract was removed, contained one 40.0-45.0 cm long whiptail, Coelorinchus trachycarus
and beaks of two octopus, Muusoctopus clyderoperi. The females examined ranged from 63.7-104.6 cm TL, smallest mature female was 97.1 cm TL. The males examined ranged from 63.2-97.3 cm TL, smallest mature male was 85.6 cm TL; two males of 632 and 642 mm TL have immature claspers with no evidence of maturation beginning (Ref. 130868).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
White, W.T., A.L. Stewart, H.L. O’Neill and G.J.P. Naylor, 2024. Dichichthyidae, a new family of deepwater sharks (Carcharhiniformes) from the Indo–West Pacific, with description of a new species. Fishes 2024, 9, 121. (Ref. 130868)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5625 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 4.0 ±0.6 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): High vulnerability (63 of 100).
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