9.13 Carcharhinus melanopterus
(Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)
Blackfin reef shark
Swartvin-rifhaai
Carcharias melanopterus Quoy & Gaimard, 1824: 194, PI. 43, Figs. 1,2
(New Guinea) . Carcharhinus melanopterus: Smith, SFSA No. 7*; Bass et
aI., 1973: 55*; Garrick, 1982: 96* .
No interdorsal ridge . Easily identified by the lemon-brown colour and
d · · d k
k·
II f· T h 12-1 or 2-12 P
Istmct ar mar mgs on a ms . eet
11-1-11. recaudal vertebrae
111-117.
Few pups per litter, born at about 60 cm; attains about
160 cm. A roving scavenger of coral reef areas, often occurring in less than 1 m; can be aggressive and has attacked
man. Red Sea to central Pacific and to southern Mozambique.
. . . c
N
9.13 Carcharhinus melanopterus: 70 em male (north of Mauritius). N = nostril.
/'"
\
N
9.14 Carcharhinusobscurus: 165 em male (Natal). N & Tas in 2.1.
9: CARCHARHINIDAE (REQUIEM SHARKS)
Dusky shark
9.14 Carcharhinus obscurus
(Lesueur, 1818)
PLATE 2
Donkerhaai
Squalus obscurus Lesueur, 1818: 223, PI. 9 ("North America").
Eulamia obscura: Smith, SFSA No. 6*. Carcharinus obscurus: Smith,
1953: 41, No. 6*. Carcharhinus obscurus: Bass et aI., 1973: 58*; van der
Elst , 1981: 37* ; Garrick, 1982: 120*.
Interdorsal ridge present. Fins dusky-tipped or plain .
14 or 15-2-14 or 15
.
Teeth
14-1-14
. Upper teeth wIth broad, almost erect cusps.
First D origin over P inner corner. Precaudal vertebrae 175-191.
Litter of 6-14 pups, born chiefly in early winter at 80-90
cm; males mature at 2.8 m, females at 2.6-3.0 m; attains 3.5
m. A common shark off southeast Africa, adults ranging to
Natal where the young are dropped; juveniles and occasionally a stray adult occur as far as southern Cape coast. Adults
chiefly in depths of 200 - 400 m; the young in shallower
waters. Red Sea and off continental coasts of all major
oceans. A rather indiscriminate feeder; its large size and
tendency to come close inshore make it a dangerous shark
which has been blamed for at least 2 attacks.
(
75
(Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)
Blackfin reef shark
Swartvin-rifhaai
Carcharias melanopterus Quoy & Gaimard, 1824: 194, PI. 43, Figs. 1,2
(New Guinea) . Carcharhinus melanopterus: Smith, SFSA No. 7*; Bass et
aI., 1973: 55*; Garrick, 1982: 96* .
No interdorsal ridge . Easily identified by the lemon-brown colour and
d · · d k
k·
II f· T h 12-1 or 2-12 P
Istmct ar mar mgs on a ms . eet
11-1-11. recaudal vertebrae
111-117.
Few pups per litter, born at about 60 cm; attains about
160 cm. A roving scavenger of coral reef areas, often occurring in less than 1 m; can be aggressive and has attacked
man. Red Sea to central Pacific and to southern Mozambique.
. . . c
N
9.13 Carcharhinus melanopterus: 70 em male (north of Mauritius). N = nostril.
/'"
\
N
9.14 Carcharhinusobscurus: 165 em male (Natal). N & Tas in 2.1.
9: CARCHARHINIDAE (REQUIEM SHARKS)
Dusky shark
9.14 Carcharhinus obscurus
(Lesueur, 1818)
PLATE 2
Donkerhaai
Squalus obscurus Lesueur, 1818: 223, PI. 9 ("North America").
Eulamia obscura: Smith, SFSA No. 6*. Carcharinus obscurus: Smith,
1953: 41, No. 6*. Carcharhinus obscurus: Bass et aI., 1973: 58*; van der
Elst , 1981: 37* ; Garrick, 1982: 120*.
Interdorsal ridge present. Fins dusky-tipped or plain .
14 or 15-2-14 or 15
.
Teeth
14-1-14
. Upper teeth wIth broad, almost erect cusps.
First D origin over P inner corner. Precaudal vertebrae 175-191.
Litter of 6-14 pups, born chiefly in early winter at 80-90
cm; males mature at 2.8 m, females at 2.6-3.0 m; attains 3.5
m. A common shark off southeast Africa, adults ranging to
Natal where the young are dropped; juveniles and occasionally a stray adult occur as far as southern Cape coast. Adults
chiefly in depths of 200 - 400 m; the young in shallower
waters. Red Sea and off continental coasts of all major
oceans. A rather indiscriminate feeder; its large size and
tendency to come close inshore make it a dangerous shark
which has been blamed for at least 2 attacks.
(
75