species carpet shark family member genus inhabits shallow coral reefs northern australia new_guinea adjacent islands reaching length species broad flattened body head distinctive trait fringe branching dermal flaps head extends chin fringe complex color pattern small enable camouflage reef environment day solitary generally found lying inside caves tail individual sharks tend remain local area favored resting spots resting nearby fishes invertebrates prey waving tail mimic appearance small fish night emerges actively food species viviparous little known life history reported bite humans attacks result people accidentally disturbing shark prey listed species outside australia threatened fisheries habitat degradation taxonomy phylogeny dutch originally described volume account based indonesian specimens caught gave greek beard assigned genus synonym created new genus species derived greek good nose subsequently main trait separate fourth fifth gill slits later authors placed genus common names species morphological studies inconclusive evolutionary relationships overall derived species phylogenetic analysis based mitochondrial nuclear dna found species fact basal northern result supports molecular clock placed coinciding period significant geological formation coral reef habitats region description broad moderately flattened shark head wider long distinctive fringe branching dermal running continuously snout tip origins pectoral fins including beard chin nostrils bear long branching grooves surrounding connecting mouth eyes eyes larger large mouth positioned ahead eyes end head furrows lower jaw extending mouth corners jaw median upper lower tooth rows tooth single slender pointed upper lower rows central teeth especially long like pairs gill slits short pectoral pelvic fins large rounded dorsal fins short based fairly tall slightly larger second originates quarter pelvic fin bases pelvic fins body rapidly short caudal anal fin originates second dorsal fin half size caudal fin short lower lobe upper lobe bearing strong ventral notch near tip species mosaic like dorsal color pattern consisting numerous small dark lines yellow brown background darker bands pattern extends underside tail ventral pectoral pelvic fin margins ventral surface white reliably known reach length authors consider older record long individual erroneous distribution habitat range encompasses continental shelf northern australia west east new_guinea additional records malaysia unconfirmed common inhabits coral reefs exclusively offshore waters zone deep encountered reef channels faces atop coral heads biology ecology considered specialized member family ornate coloration complex dermal fringe grants excellent camouflage probably slower swimmer related species solitary spends day lying inside caves tail individual sharks small home range containing preferred resting spots repeatedly species active night swimming reef hunt feeds bony fishes crustaceans cephalopods mouth allows prey documented case long individual consuming long bamboo shark daytime species ambush predator schooling nocturnal fishes shelter cave tiny fishes crustaceans seen settling atop resting head attracting larger fishes turn attacked observations captivity revealed species engage active behavior food nearby begins slowly wave tail forth caudal fin resembles small fish complete dark base shark typically rests head elevated places striking distance prey drawn tail known parasite species observed attended cleaner shrimp cleaner reproduction presumably viviparous like developing embryos sustained yolk report mating observed inside cave night measure approximately long size sexual maturity uncertain recorded male found adult long human interactions records apparently attacks people reputation aggressive behavior wrote attacks generally kills natives claim questionable species certainly capable inflicting severe wounds conversely attraction divers approached incident given shark cryptic appearance poor vision humans exercise caution avoid accidentally causing mistake hand foot prey species captivity occasionally found home trade little economic value attractive skin occasionally leather australian waters faces minimal threats range negatively affected extensive fishery activity habitat degradation pollution blast fishing coral removal concerns assessed species
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