African Angelshark

About the African Angelshark

The Squatina Africana, also known as the African Angelshark, is a continental shelf and upper slope shark that occurs mainly in the Western Indian Ocean. This species belongs to the family of Squatinidae.

Biology

The African Angelshark is greyish to reddish-brown with many light and dark spots. Young individuals often have large granular-centred ocelli. The species also has symmetrical dark bands or saddles and blotches on its broad, angular pectoral fins. The tail has a dark base with white margins. The nasal barbels are simple and flat, with tapering or spatulate tips. It lacks angular lobes on the lateral dermal flaps, and enlarged thorns are present on the head, but not on the back. The area between the eyes is concave. Males reach maturity at 77–95 cm (30–37 in) total length, while females mature at 82–107 cm (32–42 in). The maximum recorded length is 122 cm (48 in).

Reproduction

This species is ovoviviparous, meaning embryos develop in eggs inside their mother’s body and feed solely on the yolk. Females give birth to about 7 to 11 pups per litter. The size at birth ranges from 28 to 30 cm (11–11.8 in), and gestation lasts approximately one year. The generation length is currently unknown, but is thought to be around 23 years, based on the closely related Pacific Angelshark.

Habitat

The species is found on the continental shelf and uppermost slope, from the surf line to about 500 m (1,640 ft) depth, but most recorded specimens have been collected between 60 and 300 m (197–984 ft). Its current distribution is widespread around the Western Indian Ocean, from Somalia to South Africa, including Madagascar.

Behaviour

This species usually lies buried to ambush its prey.

Conservation

In South Africa, the species does not have any commercial value and is apparently little utilised. Demersal trawling for prawns off the Tugela Banks has represented one of the main threats to the species, both through bycatch and habitat degradation. This fishery has not operated in South Africa since 2010, but similar trawl fisheries continue to operate in Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar. The African Angelshark is also caught as bycatch in gillnet fisheries throughout parts of its range. 

The species is currently listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, but there are currently no conservation actions for this species. There are no current conservation actions for this species. The ongoing release of these animals from the trawl fishery and from the KZN shark nets should be encouraged.

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African Angelshark Gallery