9.5 Carcharhinus brachyurus
(Gunther, 1870)
PLATE 2
Copper shark
Koperhaai
Carcharias brachyurus Giinther, 1870: 369 (New Zealand) . Carcharinus improvisus Smith, 1952: 761, Fig. 1 (Algoa Bay); 1953: 41,
No. 6a*. Carcharhinus brachyurus: Bass et aI. , 1973: 23*; van der Elst,
1981: 34*; Garrick, 1982: 171*.
Usually no interdorsal ridge. Fins plain or with slightly dusky tips.
Usually dark brownish grey. Teeth ~;~~~~;. Upper teeth with oblique
cusps. First D origin in front of V inner corner. Precaudal vertebrae 96103.
Litter of 13-20 pups, born at 60-70 cm; males mature at
2 m, females at 2.4 m; attains 2.9 m. Feeds on or near the
seabed; has been blamed for several attacks on man. A
worldwide coastal species found primarily in warm-temperate waters. Common from Namibia to Port Elizabeth;
ranges north to Durban during winter. Often taken by shore
anglers and by trawlers in depths of less than 100 m.
N
9.5 Carcharhinus brachyurus: 143 em male (Algoa Bay). N & T as in 2.1.
~.
..
. ..
N
9.6 Carcharhinus brevipinna: 179 cm male (Natal). N & T as in 2.1.
9: CARCHARHINIDAE (REQUIEM SHARKS)
9.6 Carcharhinus brevi pinna
(Mulier & Henle, 1838)
PLATE 2
Spinner shark
Spinnerhaai
Carcharias (Aprion) brevipinna Miiller & Henle, 1838: 31, PI. 9 (Java)
Carcharinus johnsoni Smith, 1951: 88, Fig. 1,2 (East London to Mossel
Bay, Durban); 1953: 41, No. 5a*. Carcharhinus brevipinna: Bass et aI.,
1973: 26*; Garrick, 1982: 41*.
No interdorsal ridge. Sharply pointed snout. Juveniles often with
plain fins or, like adults, all fins with clearly demarcated black tips
except possibly upper C lobe (which may be plain) and V which have at
most slightly dusky tips. Teeth ~~~i~ ~~. Upper teeth with narrow, erect
cusps on broad bases. Precaudal vertebrae 83-91. C. limbatus has similar
teeth but has plain A and distinct black V tips.
Litter of 6-15 pups, born in autumn at 65-75 cm; males
mature at 180-190 cm, females at 2 m; attains about 2.7 m.
Feeds on relatively small fish and unlikely to be dangerous
to man. A tropical shallow-water species of the Red Sea and
all major oceans; extends southward to Mossel Bay. Pups
are dropped along Natal coast and somewhat older
juveniles are caught off eastern Cape.
71
(Gunther, 1870)
PLATE 2
Copper shark
Koperhaai
Carcharias brachyurus Giinther, 1870: 369 (New Zealand) . Carcharinus improvisus Smith, 1952: 761, Fig. 1 (Algoa Bay); 1953: 41,
No. 6a*. Carcharhinus brachyurus: Bass et aI. , 1973: 23*; van der Elst,
1981: 34*; Garrick, 1982: 171*.
Usually no interdorsal ridge. Fins plain or with slightly dusky tips.
Usually dark brownish grey. Teeth ~;~~~~;. Upper teeth with oblique
cusps. First D origin in front of V inner corner. Precaudal vertebrae 96103.
Litter of 13-20 pups, born at 60-70 cm; males mature at
2 m, females at 2.4 m; attains 2.9 m. Feeds on or near the
seabed; has been blamed for several attacks on man. A
worldwide coastal species found primarily in warm-temperate waters. Common from Namibia to Port Elizabeth;
ranges north to Durban during winter. Often taken by shore
anglers and by trawlers in depths of less than 100 m.
N
9.5 Carcharhinus brachyurus: 143 em male (Algoa Bay). N & T as in 2.1.
~.
..
. ..
N
9.6 Carcharhinus brevipinna: 179 cm male (Natal). N & T as in 2.1.
9: CARCHARHINIDAE (REQUIEM SHARKS)
9.6 Carcharhinus brevi pinna
(Mulier & Henle, 1838)
PLATE 2
Spinner shark
Spinnerhaai
Carcharias (Aprion) brevipinna Miiller & Henle, 1838: 31, PI. 9 (Java)
Carcharinus johnsoni Smith, 1951: 88, Fig. 1,2 (East London to Mossel
Bay, Durban); 1953: 41, No. 5a*. Carcharhinus brevipinna: Bass et aI.,
1973: 26*; Garrick, 1982: 41*.
No interdorsal ridge. Sharply pointed snout. Juveniles often with
plain fins or, like adults, all fins with clearly demarcated black tips
except possibly upper C lobe (which may be plain) and V which have at
most slightly dusky tips. Teeth ~~~i~ ~~. Upper teeth with narrow, erect
cusps on broad bases. Precaudal vertebrae 83-91. C. limbatus has similar
teeth but has plain A and distinct black V tips.
Litter of 6-15 pups, born in autumn at 65-75 cm; males
mature at 180-190 cm, females at 2 m; attains about 2.7 m.
Feeds on relatively small fish and unlikely to be dangerous
to man. A tropical shallow-water species of the Red Sea and
all major oceans; extends southward to Mossel Bay. Pups
are dropped along Natal coast and somewhat older
juveniles are caught off eastern Cape.
71