Colour generally grey overlaid with numerous black
spots; on some specimens the spots may be sparse or absent,
and new-born sharks generally have fewer black spots than
do adults. Attains 165 cm and about 20 kg. Pups are 30-31
cm at birth; males mature at 120-140 cm and females at 130150 cm. Commonly caught by shore anglers. Known only
from Walvis Bay to East London, perhaps into southern
Natal.
Family No.1 0: PROSCYLLIIDAE
by A.J. Bass & L.J.V. Compagno
A small group of sharks intermediate between the
Scyliorhinidae and Triakidae. Rudimentary nictitans. Minute lip grooves. All teeth with erect cusps, usually several
functional rows. First dorsal fin closer to pelvics than to pectorals. No fin spines. Second dorsal fin subequal to first dorsal, its origin over or behind anal fin origin. Caudal fin without distinct lower lobe. Four genera, one recorded from our
area, with a second known from Somalia and included here.
KEY TO SPECIES
1a Body with clear pattern of saddles and large
spots; C short and broad .. ........ .... ... ... ..... .... . Ctenacis fehlmanni
1 b Body plain with at most faint suggestion of saddles
and spots; C long and narrow .. ................... .. .. ......... ..... .... .... 2
2a D with blackish margins; preoral snout less than
1.5 times mouth length; labial furrows rudimentary
or absent .... .............. ............. ....... ... ......... Eridacnis radcliffei
2b D with light margins; preoral snout over twice
mouth length; labial furrows very short .... .. ... .... Eridacnis sinuans
10: PROSCYLLIIDAE
Genus Ctenacis Compagno, 1973
One species, known only from Somalia, may reach our
area.
10.1 Ctenacis fehlmanni
(Springer, 1968)
Triakis fehlmanni Springer, 1968: 614, Figs. 1-5 (Somalia). Ctenacis
fehlmanni: Bass et aI., 1975: 11*.
Head length 23% TL. "Gill-rakers" are short papillae interdigitating
across internal gill openings; teeth ~. Precaudal vertebrae 64.
Ovoviviparous, 2 pups per litter. Only known specimen:
46 cm adult female from 70 - 170 m off Somalia.
Genus Eridacnis Smith, 1913
Three species, 1 in our area; E. radcliffei has recently
been found off Tanzania and probably also occurs in our
area.
10.2 Eridacnis radcliffei
Smith,1913
Eridacnis radcliffei Smith, 1913: 599, Figs. 1-3 (Philippine Ids.).
72-78
Teeth 65-77' Precaudal vertebrae 77.
Ovoviviparous; 1-2 pups per litter, born at about 11 cm;
males mature below 18 cm, females at 15-16 cm; attains 24
cm; 1 of the 2 smallest species of sharks. Tanzania and Gulf
of Aden east to Philippines, in 71-766 m.
10.1 Ctenacis fehlmanni: 46 em adult female (Somalia; after Springer, 1968 reversed).
10.2 Eridacnis radcliffei: 19 em male (Philippines).
87
spots; on some specimens the spots may be sparse or absent,
and new-born sharks generally have fewer black spots than
do adults. Attains 165 cm and about 20 kg. Pups are 30-31
cm at birth; males mature at 120-140 cm and females at 130150 cm. Commonly caught by shore anglers. Known only
from Walvis Bay to East London, perhaps into southern
Natal.
Family No.1 0: PROSCYLLIIDAE
by A.J. Bass & L.J.V. Compagno
A small group of sharks intermediate between the
Scyliorhinidae and Triakidae. Rudimentary nictitans. Minute lip grooves. All teeth with erect cusps, usually several
functional rows. First dorsal fin closer to pelvics than to pectorals. No fin spines. Second dorsal fin subequal to first dorsal, its origin over or behind anal fin origin. Caudal fin without distinct lower lobe. Four genera, one recorded from our
area, with a second known from Somalia and included here.
KEY TO SPECIES
1a Body with clear pattern of saddles and large
spots; C short and broad .. ........ .... ... ... ..... .... . Ctenacis fehlmanni
1 b Body plain with at most faint suggestion of saddles
and spots; C long and narrow .. ................... .. .. ......... ..... .... .... 2
2a D with blackish margins; preoral snout less than
1.5 times mouth length; labial furrows rudimentary
or absent .... .............. ............. ....... ... ......... Eridacnis radcliffei
2b D with light margins; preoral snout over twice
mouth length; labial furrows very short .... .. ... .... Eridacnis sinuans
10: PROSCYLLIIDAE
Genus Ctenacis Compagno, 1973
One species, known only from Somalia, may reach our
area.
10.1 Ctenacis fehlmanni
(Springer, 1968)
Triakis fehlmanni Springer, 1968: 614, Figs. 1-5 (Somalia). Ctenacis
fehlmanni: Bass et aI., 1975: 11*.
Head length 23% TL. "Gill-rakers" are short papillae interdigitating
across internal gill openings; teeth ~. Precaudal vertebrae 64.
Ovoviviparous, 2 pups per litter. Only known specimen:
46 cm adult female from 70 - 170 m off Somalia.
Genus Eridacnis Smith, 1913
Three species, 1 in our area; E. radcliffei has recently
been found off Tanzania and probably also occurs in our
area.
10.2 Eridacnis radcliffei
Smith,1913
Eridacnis radcliffei Smith, 1913: 599, Figs. 1-3 (Philippine Ids.).
72-78
Teeth 65-77' Precaudal vertebrae 77.
Ovoviviparous; 1-2 pups per litter, born at about 11 cm;
males mature below 18 cm, females at 15-16 cm; attains 24
cm; 1 of the 2 smallest species of sharks. Tanzania and Gulf
of Aden east to Philippines, in 71-766 m.
10.1 Ctenacis fehlmanni: 46 em adult female (Somalia; after Springer, 1968 reversed).
10.2 Eridacnis radcliffei: 19 em male (Philippines).
87