| Family: |
Somniosidae (Sleeper sharks) |
| Max. size: |
80.3 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine |
| Distribution: |
Southwest Pacific: New Zealand. Possibly occurring off Australia (Ref. 6871). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0. Dark brown or black with a grey blaze on the back behind the eyes (Ref. 26346). Scymnodon-like, but with no dorsal spines and the first dorsal fin slightly more posterior than in Scymnodon species; snout somewhat flattened, not bulbous, lower teeth with very high, erect or semi-erect cusps, distal blades and no serrations, first dorsal on middle of back behind pectoral fins, caudal fin asymmetrical, with a short lower lobe, fins without prominent light edges (Ref. 247). |
| Biology: |
A rare species (Ref. 26346) presumably inhabiting the insular slope of New Zealand (Ref. 247). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 23 June 2017 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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