Apristurus platyrhynchus (Tanaka, 1909)
Borneo catshark
photo by FAO

Family:  Pentanchidae (Deepwater catsharks)
Max. size:  80 cm TL (male/unsexed); 63 cm TL (female)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range - 759 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Philippines, South and East China seas; northward to the Suruga Bay, Japan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. Diagnostic features include the very short abdomen, with interspace between pectoral and pelvic fins base shorter than 3/5 of anal fin base length; pectoral fin tip reaching beyond the midpoint between pectoral and pelvic fins; first dorsal fin smaller in area than the second dorsal; posterior end base (axil) of second dorsal clearly in front of anal fin axil; low anal fin with a long base. Egg capsule very slender; without tendrils, conical posterior end. Claspers without hooks, with posterior margin of exorhipidion forming a free lobe (Ref. 37959). Black, brown or grey (Ref. 11146), without conspicuous markings on fins (Ref. 244).
Biology:  Found on the continental slopes. Poorly known. Oviparous, probably one egg per oviduct laid at a time. Not utilized at present.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 February 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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