Squatina varii Vaz & Carvalho, 2018
Squatina varii
photo by Carvalho Filho, A.

Family:  Squatinidae (Angel sharks)
Max. size:  124.2 cm TL (male/unsexed); 132 cm TL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 195 - 666 m
Distribution:  Southwestern Atlantic: Brazil.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished from all western Atlantic congeners (except S. david) by the following characters: a higher number of vertebral centra, 138-150 (vs. 132-136 in argentina; 128-136 in guggenheim; 127-136 in occulta; 130-135 in dumeril; 121 in Squatina sp. NW1); differs from all southwestern Atlantic species and S. david in their dorsal coloration, with very few (<20) or no white circular spots (vs. dorsal surface of the skin having hundreds of white spots in argentina, occulta, david, guggenheim) (Ref. 117896).
Biology:  Occurs along continental slope (Ref. 114945).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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