japanese japanese species angel shark family found northwestern pacific_ocean china japan korea dwelling shark found sandy habitats deep species flattened shape wing like pectoral pelvic fins typical family grows length dorsal fins placed pelvic fins row large occurs dorsal upper surface patterned numerous dark spots brown background feeding fishes cephalopods crustaceans japanese nocturnal ambush predator spends day lying sea floor species gives birth live young sustained gestation yolk litter size varies japanese dangerous humans provoked large numbers meat type leather listed vulnerable citing intense activity range low angel sharks fishing pressure taxonomy phylogeny japanese described dutch volume scientific journal type specimen male long collected nagasaki japan specific epithet common names species include change angel shark change canopy shark japanese japanese mitochondrial dna phylogenetic analysis reported japanese forms clade asian included study sister species pair taiwan indonesian asian species turn allied european north african angel shark species molecular clock suggested japanese lineage diverged rest asian million years ago cretaceous description japanese fairly narrow bodied greatly enlarged pectoral pelvic fins skin sides head lack distinct eyes oval widely spaced closely crescent shaped large projections inside anterior large preceded small skin bearing outer thin inner like tip smooth slightly fringed base wide mouth placed furrows corners tooth rows jaws separated gap middle teeth small narrow pointed pairs gill slits located sides head portion pectoral fin forms triangular lobe separate head outer corners pectoral fins angular rear tips rounded pelvic fins convex margins angular dorsal fins similar shape size located pelvic fins caudal flattened keel running supports roughly triangular caudal fin rounded corners lower lobe caudal fin larger upper dorsal surface covered medium sized dermal denticles distinctive row large present tail species light dark brown dense covering dark spots finer fins underside white darker sources differing maximum lengths ranging distribution habitat japanese native cooler waters northwestern pacific range extends eastern coast japan taiwan includes southern older sources reported occur philippines recent research suggests angel shark species area japanese inhabits continental shelf usually deep found sandy bottoms close rocky reefs biology ecology day japanese lies partly buried complex color pattern provides camouflage nearby prey night species active diet consists fishes cephalopods crustaceans found proximity species parasites documented species include larvae japanese viviparous members family developing embryos yolk litters pups spring summer measuring long females mature sexually long male maturation size unknown human interactions japanese typically humans disturbed inflict severe bite range frequent catch intentional probably set nets meat eaten rough skin type leather called use wood finishing angel sharks general highly threatened commercial fisheries capture low rate reproduction angel shark species known declined markedly fishing pressure activity parts northwestern pacific intense coupled pollution impact local ecosystem japanese population suspected declined conditions leading species assessed vulnerable benefit ban imposed areas chinese government enforcement inconsistent
Japanese angelshark