Squalus raoulensis Duffy & Last, 2007
Kermadec spiny dogfish
photo by Duffy, C.

Family:  Squalidae (Dogfish sharks)
Max. size:  68.1 cm TL (male/unsexed); 72.9 cm TL (female)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range - 320 m
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: known only from the upper insular slope west of Napier Island (off Raoul Island) and north of Raoul Island on the Kermadec Ridge.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished by the following combination of characters: width of mouth 2.4 - 2.7 times horizontal prenarial length; direct pre-second dorsal length 3.6 - 4 times pectoral-fin anterior margin, 2.7 - 2.9 times dorsal caudal margin; preoral length 3 - 3.2 times horizontal prenarial length, 2.3 - 2.5 times internarial width; bifurcate anterior nasal flap; first dorsal fin upright and rounded apically; dorsal-fin spines not robust, width of exposed bases 0.6 - 0.7% TL: first dorsal-fin height 1.2 - 1.4 times its inner margin length; second dorsal-fin height 0.85 - 0.93 times its inner margin length; pectoral-fin anterior margin 1.7 - 1.8 times its inner margin length; preventral caudal margin 1.7 - 2.3 times inner margin of pelvic fin; caudal fin pale with strongly demarcated, whitish posterior margin, no caudal bar; flank denticles unicuspid; monospondylous centra 41-43, precaudal centra 84-85, total centra 112-113; maximum adult size at least 73 cm TL (Ref. 58439).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 June 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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