australian shark australian shark species requiem shark family endemic northern eastern australia favoring upper middle parts water column found zone depth appearance wise species virtually identical common shark reliably distinguished lower number genetic markers generally reaching length fairly stout bodied bronze colored shark long snout black tipped fins primarily australian shark forms large groups similar size sex tend remain local area exhibits meaning young connection defined annual reproductive cycle mating occurring february march females bear pups january following year month gestation period australian shark sharks commonly caught northern australian commercial fisheries mainly valued meat sold species important catch fishery operated australian northern shark fishery continues present day current fishing levels thought threaten shark population assessed concern taxonomy phylogeny australian shark described australian issue scientific journal western australian naturalist named honor assistant surgeon port northern territory type specimen long female caught van reef later authors regarded synonym genus shark referred shark shark initial description generally regarded synonymous common shark 1980s additional morphological life history data favored recognition separate species eventually confirmed studies performed molecular phylogenetic studies based mitochondrial dna nuclear dna found australian common sharks form closely related clade graceful shark shark fully resolved available data suggest closely related species clade despite similarity description physically australian shark reliably distinguished common shark number total tail total tail moderately robust shaped body long pointed snout anterior nostrils slightly enlarged low triangular flaps large circular eyes equipped membranes furrows corners mouth barely evident upper lower tooth rows upper tooth slender upright fine near base lower teeth narrower finely pairs gill slits long long narrow pectoral fins shaped pointed tips large dorsal fin originates slightly rear pectoral fin bases second dorsal fin moderately tall positioned opposite anal fin ridge dorsal fins crescent shaped notch present caudal upper caudal fin origin caudal fin strong lower lobe longer upper lobe ventral notch near tip roughly diamond shaped dermal denticles placed closely slightly overlapping bears seven juveniles horizontal ridges leading marginal teeth australian shark bronze gray death whitish pale stripe flanks individuals black tips fins unmarked pelvic anal fins typically reaches long maximum length weight record distribution habitat inhabiting continental shelf australian shark found western_australia sydney new_south_wales range occurs common shark ratio thought recent genetic studies found closer species reported zone depth larger sharks tend occur deeper water occupies entire water column common close surface genetic data suggest australian sharks northern australia members single population studies found species moves short distances coastline rarely enters offshore waters individuals recorded traveling longer distances biology ecology australian shark known form large groups segregated size sex mainly fishes including herring cephalopods secondary food source particularly important april species occasionally smaller sharks including sharks sharks sharks shift age smaller individuals feed dwelling fish larger individuals feed fish cephalopods documented parasites shark include like requiem sharks australian shark viviparous embryos exhaust yolk supply depleted yolk sac develops connection mother provides females bear litters pups average year mating takes place february march females storing sperm march april gestation period months young born january following year near term females shallow coastal cleveland bay northern queensland birth nursery areas appear widespread recorded range species relatively large measuring long grow rapidly year increasing length average growth rate subsequently averaging year age sexes attain sexual maturity years age lengths roughly males females respectively maximum lifespan estimated years hybrids australian shark common shark comprising individuals discovered eastern coast australia despite widespread evidence parental merging mechanisms preventing unclear confirmed case fishes human interactions shark australian shark economically important sharks northern australia historically meat fins fishery began operating northern australia annual catch initially averaged tons live weight approximately consisting australian sharks sharks following establishment australian fishing zone november australian government progressively excluded vessels large portions australian waters imposed fishing fishery eventually australia restricted lengths vessels ceased fishing australian waters year end fishery australian shark numbers estimated diminished given relatively high reproductive rate population likely recovered australian shark targeted australian commercial additionally caught incidentally commercial fisheries targeting bony fishes contemporary northern australian shark catch estimated tons live weight annually australian sharks meat species sold australia contain high concentrations mercury fins exported asia liver oil skin fishing pressure australian shark lower historical levels listed concern potential concern indonesian increasingly
Australian blacktip shark