| Family: |
Orectolobidae (Carpet or nurse sharks) |
| Max. size: |
52.3 cm TL (female) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 20 m |
| Distribution: |
Indian and Western oceans of Australia. |
| Diagnosis: |
This small species (to at least 52.3 cm TL) has the following combination of characters: strong colour pattern with dark saddles, spots and fine reticulations; simple nasal barbel, thallate, without other lobes; poorly developed postspiracular lobes, the posterior postspiracular lobe (PS2) is simple, narrow or weakly thallate, and smaller than anterior postspiracular lobe (PS1); distance across preorbital group 1.3-1.6 times the interspace between preorbital group and anterior postspiracular lobe (PO/PO-PS1), 4.2-5.4 times base length of anterior postspiracular lobe (PO/PS1); base of the anterior postspiracular lobe 3.3-3.9 in its distance from postorbital group (PO-PS1/PS1), 1.5-2.1 in its distance from posterior postspiracular lobe (PS1-PS2/PS1); tubercle above eye prominent; wart-like tubercles absent on back; interorbital denticles are widely spaced, the anterior margins strongly crenulate; tall, upright dorsal fins; origin of first dorsal-fin over mid pelvic-fin base; interdorsal space 0.3-0.5 times the anal-fin base length; anal-fin inner margin 0.4-0.6 times its anal-fin posterior margin; about 21 tooth rows in upper jaw, no medial row at symphysis of upper jaw; 46-49monospondylous centra; 141-147 total vertebral centra (Ref. 76939). |
| Biology: |
No male adults are known, but a male adolescent, 50.3 cm TL (Ref. 76939). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 18 February 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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