deepsea cat shark

Apristurus profundorum

Soft vertebrae conceal the marks of age

Regional distribution
Marine fish
Atlantic Ocean
Africa
North America
South America
Elongated
Large

The deepwater catshark (Apristurus profundorum) is a species of shark belonging to the family Pentanchidae, the deepwater catsharks. This shark is found in the western Atlantic from Delaware Bay to Suriname, and in the eastern Atlantic from Morocco to northwest Africa. An important key factor to understanding these creatures is ageing, many deepwater Apristurus profundorum have poorly calcified vertebrae that lack visible growth bands, and most do not have dorsal fin spines that can be used for ageing.

Class: Sharks and Rays
Order: Ground Sharks
Family: Pentanchidae
Genus: Apristurus
Maximum length: 54.2 cm
Water: Marine
Body shape: elongated
Distribution: Western Atlantic: from Davis Strait, Canada, south to off Delaware Bay, USA and off Suriname (Ref. 13608 ). Eastern Atlantic: Morocco and northwest Africa (Ref. 40643 ).
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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