9: CARCHARHINIDAE (REQUIEM SHARKS)
9.23 /ago omanensis: 57 cm mature female (Arabian Sea; after Compagno & Springer, 1971).
Genus /ago Compagno & Springer, 1971
One species.
9.23 /ago omanensis
(Norman, 1939)
Bigeye houndshark
Grootoog-hondhaai
Eugaleus omanensis Norman, 1939: 11, Fig. 3 (Gulf of Oman). lago
omanensis: Compagno & Springer, 1971: 619*; Bass et aI., 1975: 18*.
Interdorsal ridge present. Transitional nictitans. Teeth unicuspid,
smooth-edged, in 2 or 3 functional rows.
Attains 58 cm. Brown or grey above, lighter below; tips
and leading edges of D and C may have a darker colour.
Known only from Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and
India; may appear in our area. Occurs in 110 - 2 195 m.
Genus Leptocharias Smith, 1838
A single species found inshore off the west African coast
between latitudes 200N and 20 o S.
9.24 Leptocharias smithii
(MOiler & Henle, 1839)
Barbelled houndshark
Baard-hondhaai
Triaenodon smithii Miiller & Henle, 1839: 56, PI. 21 (Cabinda, Angola).
Leptocharias smithii: Krefft, 1968: 41; Compagno, 1981: (1)*.
A small shark similar in appearance to species of Mustelus but
distinguishable by the nostrils with anterior flaps formed into distinct
barbels. Teeth small and numerous, mostly having a single smooth
oblique cusp with 1 or more smaller cusplets on each side.
Viviparous; up to 7 pups per litter; attains 80 cm. Eats
crustaceans, small fish and cephalopods. Not recorded from
our area, but the odd stray might yet turn up.
Genus Loxodon Muller & Henle, 1838
One species.
Sliteye shark
9.25 Loxodon macrorhinus
(MOiler & Henle, 1839)
Sleetooghaai
Loxodon macrorhinus Miiller & Henle, 1839: 61, PI. 25 (no locality);
Springer, 1964: 588*; Smith, 1961, No. 15a*; Bass et aI., 1975: 37*.
First 0 & C with thin dark trailing edges. Second 0 origin over A axil.
Spiracles minute, often invisible. Usually no interdorsal ridge.
12-1-12
Teeth 12-1 or 2-12' Precaudal vertebrae 83-85.
Viviparous; 2 pups per litter, born at 40-45 cm; attains
almost 100 cm. Fish eater. Shallow waters of tropical west
Pacific and Indian Ocean south to central Natal.
-. --~
/ .
----~ -- (
-<=~ ' ~--------~~---- .. .. --..
-----'V~--=:::- - --. . . .
"0~~J.
9.24 Leptocarcharias smithii: 80 cm female 0N. Africa; after Poll, 1951).
80
9.23 /ago omanensis: 57 cm mature female (Arabian Sea; after Compagno & Springer, 1971).
Genus /ago Compagno & Springer, 1971
One species.
9.23 /ago omanensis
(Norman, 1939)
Bigeye houndshark
Grootoog-hondhaai
Eugaleus omanensis Norman, 1939: 11, Fig. 3 (Gulf of Oman). lago
omanensis: Compagno & Springer, 1971: 619*; Bass et aI., 1975: 18*.
Interdorsal ridge present. Transitional nictitans. Teeth unicuspid,
smooth-edged, in 2 or 3 functional rows.
Attains 58 cm. Brown or grey above, lighter below; tips
and leading edges of D and C may have a darker colour.
Known only from Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and
India; may appear in our area. Occurs in 110 - 2 195 m.
Genus Leptocharias Smith, 1838
A single species found inshore off the west African coast
between latitudes 200N and 20 o S.
9.24 Leptocharias smithii
(MOiler & Henle, 1839)
Barbelled houndshark
Baard-hondhaai
Triaenodon smithii Miiller & Henle, 1839: 56, PI. 21 (Cabinda, Angola).
Leptocharias smithii: Krefft, 1968: 41; Compagno, 1981: (1)*.
A small shark similar in appearance to species of Mustelus but
distinguishable by the nostrils with anterior flaps formed into distinct
barbels. Teeth small and numerous, mostly having a single smooth
oblique cusp with 1 or more smaller cusplets on each side.
Viviparous; up to 7 pups per litter; attains 80 cm. Eats
crustaceans, small fish and cephalopods. Not recorded from
our area, but the odd stray might yet turn up.
Genus Loxodon Muller & Henle, 1838
One species.
Sliteye shark
9.25 Loxodon macrorhinus
(MOiler & Henle, 1839)
Sleetooghaai
Loxodon macrorhinus Miiller & Henle, 1839: 61, PI. 25 (no locality);
Springer, 1964: 588*; Smith, 1961, No. 15a*; Bass et aI., 1975: 37*.
First 0 & C with thin dark trailing edges. Second 0 origin over A axil.
Spiracles minute, often invisible. Usually no interdorsal ridge.
12-1-12
Teeth 12-1 or 2-12' Precaudal vertebrae 83-85.
Viviparous; 2 pups per litter, born at 40-45 cm; attains
almost 100 cm. Fish eater. Shallow waters of tropical west
Pacific and Indian Ocean south to central Natal.
-. --~
/ .
----~ -- (
-<=~ ' ~--------~~---- .. .. --..
-----'V~--=:::- - --. . . .
"0~~J.
9.24 Leptocarcharias smithii: 80 cm female 0N. Africa; after Poll, 1951).
80