Cirrhigaleus asper (Merrett, 1973)
Roughskin spurdog
Cirrhigaleus asper
photo by Harris, M.

Family:  Squalidae (Dogfish sharks)
Max. size:  120 cm TL (male/unsexed); 115 cm TL (female)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 200 - 650 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: North Carolina to the Florida Keys (Ref. 3814) and the northern Gulf of Mexico. Western Indian Ocean: southern Mozambique to South Africa; also Reunion, Comoros, and the Aldabra islands (Ref. 33390). Eastern Central Pacific: Hawaiian Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. A heavy-bodied dogfish with a blunt, rounded snout, large denticles and noticeably rough skin; body without spots; 1st dorsal fin spine behind pectoral fins (Ref. 5578). Dark grey or brown above, lighter below; white edges on fins (Ref. 5578); juveniles brown (Ref. 6577).
Biology:  Found on the upper continental and insular slopes (Ref. 247). Adults feed on bony fishes and squids (Ref. 5213). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205), with 21 to 22 young in a litter (Ref. 247).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 21 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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