Squalus megalops (Macleay, 1881)
Shortnose spurdog
Squalus megalops
photo by Gloerfelt-Tarp, T.

 Family:  Squalidae (Dogfish sharks)
 Max. size:  72 cm TL (male/unsexed); 89 cm TL (female); max. reported age: 32 years
 Environment:  demersal; depth range 30 - 750 m
 Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: previously considered to be an Australian endemic (Ref. 49645) . Eastern Atlantic: confirmed to occur in the Mediterranean (Ref. 93472). Dogfishes presently referred to in current literature as Squalus megalops appear to belong to a complex of similar species. Specimens from the different regions still need to be compared carefully (Ref. 6871).
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. A small dogfish with a short, angular snout and a small mouth almost as wide as the snout is long; body without spots; 1st dorsal fin spine over pectoral fins (Ref. 5578). Bronze-grey above, white below; dorsal fins with black tips and white edges but markings inconspicuous in adults (Ref. 5578).
 Biology:  Found on the outer continental shelves and upper slopes, on or near the bottom (Ref. 31367); sublittoral below 130 m (Ref. 11230). Young mostly pelagic off the outer shelves (Ref. 5578). Aggregations by sex are regularly observed (Ref. 6871). Feeds on bony fishes, shrimps and other crustaceans, cephalopods and other elasmobranchs (Ref. 247). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205), with 2 to 4 young in a litter (Ref. 247). Gestation period is 2 years (Ref. 36731). Utilized for human consumption, the flesh most appealing dried salted or smoked (Ref. 6871). Also consumed fresh (Ref. 31367). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 6808.
 IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient  (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:  Recorded from the Philippines. May be a different form of Squalus megalops from Australia. Specimen collected is grey and has a darker apical markings on the dorsal fins; possibly a shorter post pelvic to caudal length, and more raked lower teeth. More materials needed of this greyish form for examination (Ref. 47737).

 Entered by: Carpenter, Kent E. - 15.06.92
 Modified by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 16.02.17
 Checked by: Garilao, Cristina V. - 20.11.95

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