Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) >
Squatiniformes (Angel sharks) >
Squatinidae (Angel sharks)
Etymology: Squatina: Latin for skate, which angel sharks superficially resemble, presumably tautonymous with Squalus squatina Linnaeus 1758 (no species mentioned) (See ETYFish); japonica: -ica (L.), belonging to: Japan, referring to Nagasaki, type locality (See ETYFish).
More on author: Bleeker.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal. Subtropical; 41°N - 19°N, 111°E - 139°E (Ref. 54906)
Northwest Pacific: Japan, Yellow Sea, Korea, and northern China.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 200 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 247)
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. Japanese angelshark Squatina japonica has broad pectoral fins with rounded free rear tips, posterior margin nearly straight, inner margin strongly convex; nasal barbels simple and spatulate. Anterior nasal flaps smooth to weakly fringed; dermal folds on sides of head without lobes. Rear tip of inner margin of pelvic fins considerably anterior to origin of first dorsal; very short hypocercal tail. Rows of moderately large spines on midline of back and tail from head to dorsal fins and between fin bases, and on snout and above eyes. Body color blackish brown with small dark and pale spots; no ocelli (eye-like spot) (Ref. 247, 31369, 12951).
A little-known angelshark, found on or near the bottom (Ref. 247). Lives in sandy ground. A carnivore that eats benthic animals (Ref. 9137). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Utilized for human consumption and for preparation of shagreen (Ref. 247).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Ovoviviparous, embryos feed solely on yolk (Ref. 50449).
Compagno, L.J.V., 1984. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 4. Sharks of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 1 - Hexanchiformes to Lamniformes. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(4/1):1-249. Rome, FAO. (Ref. 247)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
Tools
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 5.7 - 20.7, mean 17.3 °C (based on 123 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00676 (0.00295 - 0.01551), b=3.07 (2.88 - 3.26), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.5 ±0.37 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be <100).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Very high vulnerability (90 of 100).
