Squalus melanurus Fourmanoir, 1979
Blacktailed spurdog
photo by Justine, J.-L.

Family:  Squalidae (Dogfish sharks)
Max. size:  75 cm TL (female)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 320 - 340 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: New Caledonia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. Conspicuous black tips on dorsal fins, black dorsal caudal margin, black ventral caudal lobe (Ref. 247).
Biology:  Found on the insular slopes (Ref. 247). Feeds on lanternfishes, boarfishes, barracudinas, and flatheads (Ref. 247). Probably ovoviviparous (Ref. 247). Defends themselves from their captors by whipping their bodies and long second dorsal spines (Ref. 247).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 20 June 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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