species shark family known generally angel sharks widespread coastal waters northeastern atlantic_ocean adapted sea floor flattened form enlarged pectoral pelvic fins giving superficial resemblance ray species identified broad stout body conical larger individuals grayish brownish dorsal coloration pattern numerous small light dark markings vivid juveniles measures long like members family nocturnal ambush predator sediment waits passing prey benthic bony fishes invertebrates viviparous species females bear litters seven pups year normally poses little danger humans provoked quick bite mid-20th century intense commercial fishing range population locally extinct nearly northern range prospects remaining fragmented slow rate reproduction result assessed species critically endangered taxonomy phylogeny originally described swedish natural historian known father taxonomy tenth edition designate type specimen word latin derived word genus angel sharks french zoologist common names species include angel angel fish angel fish angel ray fish monk colleagues conducted phylogenetic study based mitochondrial dna found sister species species formed clade number asian species description largest members family female attain length males maximum reported weight species shares common flattened body large wing like pectoral fins anterior fused head head body broad small eyes positioned followed pair larger pair occurs smooth weakly fringed skin single triangular lobe present sides head teeth small sharp similar shape jaws pectoral pelvic fins wide rounded tips dorsal fins positioned muscular tail pelvic fins anal fin absent caudal fin larger lower lobe upper dermal denticles small narrow pointed cover entire upper lower body surface patches small spines snout eyes small individuals row middle coloration gray reddish greenish brown small black white spots white juveniles patterned adults pale lines darker dorsal fins darker leading margin lighter trailing margin individuals white spot neck distribution habitat historically occurred temperate waters northeastern atlantic southern norway sweden including british isles mediterranean recent times north_sea large portions northern mediterranean benthic shark inhabits continental shelf preferring soft mud sand found near coast depth enters environments northern migrate northward summer southward winter biology ecology daytime usually lies sea floor buried layer sediment eyes showing night active seen swimming numbering observed summer known parasites species include minor ambush predator feeds mainly dwelling bony fishes especially invertebrates prey reported taken include genus squid crabs examined specimens contained birds case entire individual sharks select sites offer best ambush opportunities successful remain days viviparous meaning young hatch inside mother yolk sac birth females functional right containing right containing embryos functional present angel shark species unlike sharks yolk formation occurs concurrently pregnancy onset delayed halfway gestation period mature measure enclosed capsule reproductive cycle estimated years taking place spring ill defined litter size ranges seven size mother young months occurs december february mediterranean july england measuring long males females mature lengths respectively human interactions generally aggressive humans deliver severe bite disturbed approached underwater usually remains away mouth open recorded fishery workers particular treat caution edition wrote extremely fierce dangerous approached know instance fisherman leg terribly torn large species lay nets shallow water went lay hold humans thousands years authors described meat light easily elder noted rough skin valued wood ivory aristotle recorded elements natural history including bore live young correctly recognized shark despite resemblance rays use species food continued modern times sold fresh dried refers genus source shark liver oil conservation status sources 19th early 20th centuries indicate abundant coasts western_europe day noted common british isles recorded species common mediterranean half 20th century onwards come intense pressure commercial fisheries operating range benthic near shore habits individuals ages susceptible incidental capture nets low reproductive rate shark limits capacity withstand population numbers declined range believed extinct north_sea northern mediterranean extremely rare comprehensive survey program captured similarly survey period caught fishery data compiled landed fewer dozen thought remain irish waters healthy thought persist areas north_africa thorough assessment needed result steep population declines ongoing threat fisheries iucn assessed critically endangered listed barcelona convention aims limit pollution mediterranean_sea species protected marine reserves reported area mid-1990s received legal protection human activities waters england wales coast distance wildlife countryside act united_kingdom belgium pushed unsuccessfully species listed convention protection marine environment captive breeding program initiated live pups born
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