Short-belly Catshark

About the Short-belly Catshark

The Shortbelly Catshark is a species of catshark member of the family Scyliorhinidae, found in the Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean.

The Shortbelly Catshark is a small species distinguish for having greater nostrils length than internarial width and longer claspers in adult males. The maximum recorded size for this species is 48.5 cm TL. Males mature at about 44.4 – 48.5 cm TL but no information regarding females maturity is available. This species is oviparous, but no information about litter size and the gestation period is available.

The Shortbelly Catshark is a pelagic-oceanic shark, known to occur at 1,00 – 1,120 m depth. It is endemic to the Arabian Seas area and it is only known from 9 specimens caught in the Gulf of Aden.  

Currently, there are no conservation measures in place for this species.

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Scientific Name Apristurus breviventralis
OrderGround Sharks - Carcharhiniformes
GenusApristurus
CitesNot Listed
IUCNLeast Concern
ReproductionOviparous
SizeSmall
Litter Size Unknown
Common Length 48.5 cm
Max LenghtNA
Depth Range 1000 - 1120 m
DistributionWestern Indian Ocean
EnvironmentPelagic