9.17 Carcharhinus sorrah
(Valenciennes, 1839)
Spot-tail shark
Koisterthaai
Carcharias (Prionodon) sorrah Valenciennes, in Miiller & Henle, 1839:
45, PI. 16 (India, Java, Madagascar). Carcharhinus sorrah: Bass et aI.,
1973: 72*; Garrick, 1982: 165*.
Interdorsal ridge present. Easily identified by the combination of
plain P, upper C & A, dark tips to lower C lobe and P, and thin but
12-1-12
definite dark tip and trailing edge to 1st D. Teeth 12-1-12' Precaudal
vertebrae 76-79.
Born at 50-60 cm; mature at 100 cm (males), 110-115 cm
(females); attains about 160 cm. Eats fish; not known to be
dangerous. Tropical areas from Red Sea to western Pacific.
Ranges to southern Mozambique (approximately 25°S) and
may extend into northern Natal; only 2 specimens recorded
from African coast. An inhabitant of coral reef areas, usually found at depths of 20 - 75 m.
N
~
~
~
9.17 Carcharhinus sorrah: 111 cm female rN. Madagascar). N & Tas in 2.1 .
' , ' ',', ..
. ":"
N
9.18 Carcharhinus wheeleri: 121 em male rN. Madagascar). N, T & d as in 2.1.
9: CARCHARHINIDAE (REQUIEM SHARKS)
9.18 Carcharhinus wheeleri
Garrick, 1982
Shortnose blacktail shark
Kortneus-swartsterthaai
Eulamia melanoptera (non Quoy & Gaimard): Smith, SFSA No. 7*.
Carcharinus melanopterus (non Quoy & Gaimard): Smith, 1953: 41, No.
7*. Carcharhinus spal/anzani (non Lesueur): Bass et aI., 1973: 77*. Carcharhinus wheeleri Garrick, 1982: 111, Figs. 50,51 (Red Sea).
No interdorsal ridge. Easily identified by broad black trailing edge of C,
the other fins without distinct dark markings, and the 1st D with definite
white edging to tip and trailing margin. Teeth 12~; If-H-J: 13' Precaudal
vertebrae 110-117.
Litter of 1-4 pups, born at 65-75 cm; males mature at 110130 cm, females at 120 cm; attains about 170 cm. Red Sea
and western to central Indian Ocean, south to Natal.
Juveniles in shallow inshore waters, adults usually in deeper
waters of about 80 m. Eats fish; often aggressive towards
skindivers with speared fish.
c
'. ,:" '~'~'. "
:./ ."
..... , ..-.:."-"" ...... .. ;.... ... -" .. ~
77
(Valenciennes, 1839)
Spot-tail shark
Koisterthaai
Carcharias (Prionodon) sorrah Valenciennes, in Miiller & Henle, 1839:
45, PI. 16 (India, Java, Madagascar). Carcharhinus sorrah: Bass et aI.,
1973: 72*; Garrick, 1982: 165*.
Interdorsal ridge present. Easily identified by the combination of
plain P, upper C & A, dark tips to lower C lobe and P, and thin but
12-1-12
definite dark tip and trailing edge to 1st D. Teeth 12-1-12' Precaudal
vertebrae 76-79.
Born at 50-60 cm; mature at 100 cm (males), 110-115 cm
(females); attains about 160 cm. Eats fish; not known to be
dangerous. Tropical areas from Red Sea to western Pacific.
Ranges to southern Mozambique (approximately 25°S) and
may extend into northern Natal; only 2 specimens recorded
from African coast. An inhabitant of coral reef areas, usually found at depths of 20 - 75 m.
N
~
~
~
9.17 Carcharhinus sorrah: 111 cm female rN. Madagascar). N & Tas in 2.1 .
' , ' ',', ..
. ":"
N
9.18 Carcharhinus wheeleri: 121 em male rN. Madagascar). N, T & d as in 2.1.
9: CARCHARHINIDAE (REQUIEM SHARKS)
9.18 Carcharhinus wheeleri
Garrick, 1982
Shortnose blacktail shark
Kortneus-swartsterthaai
Eulamia melanoptera (non Quoy & Gaimard): Smith, SFSA No. 7*.
Carcharinus melanopterus (non Quoy & Gaimard): Smith, 1953: 41, No.
7*. Carcharhinus spal/anzani (non Lesueur): Bass et aI., 1973: 77*. Carcharhinus wheeleri Garrick, 1982: 111, Figs. 50,51 (Red Sea).
No interdorsal ridge. Easily identified by broad black trailing edge of C,
the other fins without distinct dark markings, and the 1st D with definite
white edging to tip and trailing margin. Teeth 12~; If-H-J: 13' Precaudal
vertebrae 110-117.
Litter of 1-4 pups, born at 65-75 cm; males mature at 110130 cm, females at 120 cm; attains about 170 cm. Red Sea
and western to central Indian Ocean, south to Natal.
Juveniles in shallow inshore waters, adults usually in deeper
waters of about 80 m. Eats fish; often aggressive towards
skindivers with speared fish.
c
'. ,:" '~'~'. "
:./ ."
..... , ..-.:."-"" ...... .. ;.... ... -" .. ~
77