The eastern angelshark (''Squatina albipunctata'') is an

angelshark The angelsharks are a group of sharks in the genus ''Squatina'' of the family Squatinidae. They commonly inhabit sandy seabeds close to in depth. Many species are now classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservat ...

of the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Squatinidae.

Measurements

''Born:'' 30 cm TL; ''Mature:'' ~ 91 cm (M), 107 cm (F) TL; ''Max:'' 110 cm (M), 130 cm (F) TL.

Identification

''Colour:'' Are a yellow-brown to a chocolate-brown, obtains dense patterns of small white dark edged symmetrical spots, also with many large brownish blotches. Has white nuchal spot (no ocelli). Also has light unspotted unpaired fins. ''Body:'' Has a very short snout. Has concave interorbital space and heavy orbital thorns which can be distinguished from ''

Squatina australis The Australian angelshark (''Squatina australis'') is a species of angelshark, family Squatinidae, found in the subtropical waters of southern Australia from Western Australia to New South Wales between latitudes 18°S and 41°S, at depths dow ...

''. The nasal barbels have extended tips and lobate fringes. Has low lateral head folds. The spiracles are close to the eyes, and are wider than eye-length. Obtains strong orbital thorns, and no medial row of predorsal thorns are shown.

Distribution and range

Pacific: eastern Australia. Found between Cairns, Queensland and Lakes Entrance, Victoria. 17°S - 38°S.

Climate and habitat

Tropical; Outer continental shelf and upper slope, benthopelagic, marine. Usually found in sand, 37-4 15 m down, but occasionally up to 60 m.

Behaviour

Unknown.

Biology

''Diet:'' Probably feeds on

bony fishes Osteichthyes (), popularly referred to as the bony fish, is a diverse superclass of fish that have skeletons primarily composed of bone tissue. They can be contrasted with the Chondrichthyes, which have skeletons primarily composed of cartilage ...

crustaceans Crustaceans (Crustacea, ) form a large, diverse arthropod taxon which includes such animals as decapods, seed shrimp, branchiopods, fish lice, krill, remipedes, isopods, barnacles, copepods, amphipods and mantis shrimp. The crustacean group ...

, and

cephalopods A cephalopod is any member of the molluscan class Cephalopoda (Greek plural , ; "head-feet") such as a squid, octopus, cuttlefish, or nautilus. These exclusively marine animals are characterized by bilateral body symmetry, a prominent head, an ...

. ''Reproduction:'' Up to 20 pups per litter.

Status

IUCN Red List The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data Book, founded in 1964, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biol ...

: Vulnerable.

Threat to humans

Harmless.

Resilience and vulnerability

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years; moderate to high vulnerability.

References

* Compagno, Dando, & Fowler, ''Sharks of the World'', Princeton University Press, New Jersey 2005 * Pogonoski, J. & Pollard, D. 2003.
Squatina sp. nov. A

2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Downloaded on 3 August 2007. {{Taxonbar, from=Q28816 eastern angelshark Marine fish of Eastern Australia eastern angelshark eastern angelshark