Southern Sawtail Catshark

Shark Database | Ground Sharks - Carcharhiniformes | Southern Sawtail Catshark

About the Southern Sawtail Catshark

Named after Michael Mincarone, the Southern Sawtail Catshark from southern Brazil was discovered in 2001.

They inhabit deep-reefs at 236 to 600 m/774 to 1,969 ft, but commonly found at 400 m/1,312 ft deep, with gorgonians, hard corals, tube sponges, crinoids, ophiuroids and other catsharks.

Biology and Behaviour:

Southern sawtail catsharks are reddish brown and slim bodied with a distinctive colour pattern of dark oval blotches that are outlined in white along its back. They have a moderately short, flattened head with a pointed snout. Their eyes are horizontally oval with nictitating membrane to help protect its eyes. Just after their eyes, they have tiny spiracles that supply oxygen to its eyes and brain.

They have a fairly large mouth, but males have a narrower mouth and larger teeth than females. There are between 57 to 71 rows of teeth at the top and 56 to 63 rows of teeth at the bottom. They have five pairs of gill slits with the fourth and fifth slits over the pectoral fin bases.

Reproduction and Lifespan:

Southern sawtail catsharks are oviparous. Females lay reddish coloured eggs which are about five to six cm long. Females mature between 34.5 cm to 38.5 cm/13.6–15.2 in, while males mature at 36 cm to 37.5 cm/ 14.2–14.8 in. Southern sawtail catsharks can reach 43 cm/16.9 in in length.

Conservation and Tourism

Southern sawtail catsharks are caught commonly by monkfish, bycatches and squid fisheries.

The IUCN lists southern sawtail catsharks as vulnerable because of its small swimming range and the increasing fishery bycatches, but there are no conservation measures put in place.

It is caught as bycatch in deep-water longline and trawl fisheries. From the late 1990s, deep-water fisheries along the southeast and southern coasts of Brazil developed to remove some pressure from depleted coastal resources, and intensified rapidly until many target stocks were depleted. These fisheries remain intense and unmanaged and are still causing mortality of this shark. Due to the level of intense, unmanaged fishing pressure throughout its range, it is suspected that the Southern Sawtail Catshark has undergone a population reduction of 30–49% over the past three generations (45 years). This catshark is not known to be utilized or traded.

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