Sparsetooth Dogfish

About the Sparsetooth Dogfish

The sparsetooth dogfish is a very rare species of sleeper shark known from only one specimen, which was caught off the coast of Chile at a depth of 200m/656.2 ft.

Nothing is known about their biology. The holotype was 26 cm/10.2 in long. They’re presumed to be ovoviviparous., meaning they reproduce by developing eggs inside the mother’s body, where the embryos hatch internally and are born as live young, nourished by the egg yolk rather than a placenta.

Scymnodalatias spp. appear to rarely interact with fisheries, and the Sparsetooth Dogfish is suspected to have limited catchability in tuna longline fisheries, likely the only fishing gear operating in its remote epipelagic habitat. Although the population trend is unknown for the Sparsetooth Dogfish, it is suspected to be stable based on its perceived limited catchability. There is nothing to infer or suspect population reduction at this time and the species is assessed as Least Concern. This species is not known to be utilized. Utilization is highly unlikely due to its small size, habitat, and perceived limited catchability.

There are no species-specific measures in place for the Sparsetooth Dogfish. Further information is required on its distribution, ecology, and life history.

Do you have images or videos of Sparsetooth Dogfishs?
Submit them to [email protected].