simply species belonging family common coasts south_africa southern typically inhabits outer continental shelf depths males found deeper females juveniles short wide flattened head robust body tapering long slender tail identified ornate color pattern dark brown spots juveniles adults light yellowish background enlarged dermal denticles pectoral fins dorsal snout second dorsal fin species reaches length males larger females dwelling relatively active nature feeds mainly diverse array bony fishes crustaceans cephalopods significant portion diet discarded fisheries species females producing eggs time year round regularly caught incidentally south african commercial fishery discarded utilized despite fishing pressure population increasing assessed concern taxonomy originally described south african fisheries survey report assigned new species genus gave specific epithet honor fellow assigned species newly created subgenus elevated rank genus appear existing type specimens account human designated long male caught species historically confusion scientific literature times considered junior synonym furthermore forms recognized cape typical form northeastern form northeastern form described separate species description body firm stout tapering dramatically tail head short wide flattened blunt snout horizontally oval eyes placed high head thick ridges beneath rudimentary membrane followed nostrils preceded triangular flaps skin reach long angular mouth mouth contains prominent roof floor lacks furrows corners upper lower jaws contain average tooth rows respectively tooth relatively large narrow central flanked smaller pairs gill slits pectoral fins long broad dorsal fin originates rear pelvic fin bases second dorsal fin slightly larger originates rear anal fin base pelvic anal fins long low larger dorsal fins free rear tips pelvic fins fused degree completely males slender pointed caudal long thin particularly younger sharks caudal fin makes fourth fifth total length weak lower lobe ventral notch near tip upper lobe thick skin covered dermal denticles gill slits enlarged spike like denticles found upper surface pectoral fins dorsal snout second dorsal fin origin patterned irregularly shaped dark brown spots light yellow yellowish brown background spots fuse age form intricate pattern shaped markings adults underside plain white obvious black sensory pores beneath head body paired fins like species contrary pattern fishes males attain greater maximum length females versus distribution habitat endemic southern tip africa range extends west east older records north east african coast likely refer species abundant dwelling species inhabits outer continental shelf upper continental slope deep south_africa common areas wider continental shelf depths south coast west coast females juveniles tend found shallower water males number sharks given area remains largely constant year sharks southernmost point perform small autumn migration shore biology ecology compared deep sea sharks large heart suggestive relatively active lifestyle feeds wide variety bony fishes crustaceans cephalopods larger sharks consume crustaceans fewer fishes recorded diet probably represents fishery given presence fast moving species shark unlikely captured live worms eggs occasionally species parasites stomach reproduction proceeds year seasonal patterns mature females single functional functional single egg matures time egg contained purse shaped capsule long capsule light brown long corners likely serve anchor rocks surface velvet like texture bears rate egg laying unknown thought high based shark fishing pressure females juveniles shallower depths indicate waters serve nursery areas young hatch long males females mature sexually long respectively human interactions harmless commercial value regularly caught incidentally discarded fishery targeting south cape_town contrast fishes numbers increasing presence commercial fishing reasons include high reproductive rate breeding shallower waters allowing high post capture survival diet consequently listed concern noting merits continued population monitoring highly restricted range
Izak catshark