golden small species shark belonging family species common shallow coastal waters western atlantic_ocean venezuela favors muddy habitats poor visibility reflected relatively small eyes adult males juveniles schooling generally found apart solitary adult females typically reaching length shark unique bright golden color head sides fins scientifically documented 1980s head flattened expanded hammer shaped structure called species wide long arched margin bearing central lateral yellow orange acquired shrimp main food juvenile sharks sea eggs main food adults golden color serve conceal predators larger sharks species viviparous developing embryos sustained connection formed depleted yolk sac females bear litters pups year following gestation period months reproductive litter size size maturity vary geographical regions abundance economically important fisheries range utilized food recent years caused marked declines numbers trinidad northern brazil probably coupled low reproductive rate led list vulnerable taxonomy phylogeny despite easily recognizable sharks long history taxonomic confusion remains fully resolved scientific originated french zoologist description scientific journal specific epithet latin hammer reference specimens nice france french centuries believed account matched great known later known different coined issue examined nice specimens specimen having lost interim concluded great species concurred revision sharks noting lost specimen probably great existing material belonged species accepted taking precedence published earlier great received available gilbert designated nice specimen define having priority specimen meant stabilize opposite effect revisited type specimens found nice likely likely synonym explain locality nice specimen known outside americas rules nomenclature valid taking precedence revert reluctant change names preferring solution official status require decision reject nice specimen designate specimen place relevant petition forth detailed study carried distinctive golden coloration unknown science color fades death resulting yellowish cast museum specimens regarded artifact preservation names yellow golden fishermen trinidad shark promoted wider usage common species shark phylogenetic analyses based nuclear mitochondrial dna found smallest derived members lineage closest relative appears media turn form clade sister species pair description smaller members family reach length typical weight body streamlined fairly slender shaped wide long span measuring body length leading margin forms broad arch middle longer arched adults eyes placed ends smaller equipped membranes protective nostrils positioned inside eyes developed groove running center mouth strongly curved containing upper tooth rows lower tooth rows teeth single narrow smooth weakly edges angled upper jaw upright lower jaw dorsal fin tall slightly shaped originating pectoral fin bases free rear tip lies origin pelvic fins second dorsal fin smaller large concave trailing margin pelvic fins nearly straight trailing margins anal fin taller longer second dorsal fin caudal fin developed lower lobe notch near tip upper lobe dermal denticles oval horizontal ridges leading marginal teeth distinctive trait species coloration dorsal fins gray yellowish gray margins flanks underside pectoral fins pelvic fins anal fin bright yellow orange metallic newborn sharks gray dorsal fin upper caudal fin lobe whitish gain bright yellow cast length turns orange length golden color sharks long tends fade onset sexual maturity distribution habitat found eastern coast south_america venezuela seldom occurs west southeast trinidad unconfirmed reports species panama mexico western florida records parts world likely erroneous resulting taxonomic history abundant sharks range species inhabits waters deep muddy bottoms segregation sex age juveniles long found waters moving deeper months life adult females found depths larger juveniles adult males found depths species tolerant water found range biology ecology species sharks overlap range small sized large sized great little competition species differing habitat preferences dominant shallow muddy areas high limits utility vision smaller eyes adult males juveniles sexes form schools uniform body size schools appear relate reproduction migration adult females apparently solitary young long feed predominantly shrimp larger sharks feed mainly bony fishes especially sea eggs shrimp surface layer eggs contain appear source sharks golden color uncertain ultimately come shrimp shark species region yellow smooth feeds shrimp yellowish color albeit nearly bright species known consume swimming crabs squid newborn fall prey larger sharks bull shark smaller individuals taken bony fishes coloration provide camouflage known parasite species serve host common like sharks viviparous developing embryos exhaust supply yolk depleted yolk sac develops connection mother delivers mature females single functional functional occurs time gestation allowing females bear young year details life history vary range trinidad reproduction occurs defined annual cycle mating august september late june following year females carry pups months use food rich shallow coastal bays nursery areas measure long males females attain sexual maturity long respectively contrast northern brazilian state substantially larger males long females long litter size increases female size sharks recorded carrying pups breeding differs pregnant females found june october january april males apparent reproductive condition november march human interactions harmless humans caught incidentally multi species fisheries range marketed food second important shark caught fisheries trinidad brazil head shape individuals ages readily caught small numbers caught line gear assessed species vulnerable subjected intense fishing pressure low reproductive rate renders susceptible population evidence suggests catches declined significantly trinidad northern brazil likely indicative population trends rest range target conservation management schemes
Smalleye hammerhead