Japanese angelshark

Description

The Japanese angelshark (Squatina japonica) is a species of angelshark,family Squatinidae,found in the northwestern Pacific Ocean off China,Japan,and Korea.It is a bottom-dwelling shark found in sandy habitats down to 300 m (980 ft) deep.This species has the flattened shape with wing-like pectoral and pelvic fins typical of its family,and grows to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) or more in length.Its two dorsal fins are placed behind the pelvic fins,and a row of large thorns occurs along its dorsal midline.Its upper surface is cryptically patterned,with numerous squarish dark spots on a brown background.Feeding on fishes,cephalopods,and crustaceans,the Japanese angelshark is a nocturnal ambush predator that spends most of the day lying still on the sea floor.This species gives birth to live young,which are sustained during gestation by yolk.The litter size varies from two to 10.The Japanese angelshark is not dangerous to humans unless provoked.It is fished in large numbers and used for meat and shagreen,a type of leather.The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed it under Vulnerable,citing the intense bottom trawling activity within its range and the low resilience of angel sharks to fishing pressure.The Japanese angelshark is fairly narrow-bodied and has greatly enlarged pectoral and pelvic fins.The skin folds along the sides of the head lack distinct lobes.The eyes are oval and widely spaced;closely behind are crescent-shaped spiracles with large,boxy projections inside their anterior rims.Each nostril is large and preceded by a small flap of skin bearing two barbels;the outer barbel is thin,while the inner barbel has a spoon-like tip and a smooth to slightly fringed flange at the base.The wide mouth is terminally placed and has furrows at the corners.There are 10 tooth rows on either side of both jaws,separated by a gap in the middle;the teeth are small,narrow,and pointed.There are five pairs of gill slits located on the sides of the head.