dark dark pretty happy species belonging family endemic temperate waters southern western south_africa benthic nature inhabits shallow waters favors rocky reefs forests growing long small shark wide flattened head rounded snout large skin extending nostrils mouth dorsal coloration extremely variable feature black edged orange white spots light brown nearly black background threatened dark ring tail covering eyes mainly small crustaceans bony fishes reproduction proceeds year females lay egg cases time hatch months harmless species little commercial significance small size frequently caught recreational persecuted pest listed dark concern common appear substantially threatened fishing habitat degradation taxonomy phylogeny german physicians originally described dark der based specimens caught cape good hope deposited van netherlands shark ornate coloration gave specific epithet latin painted originally placed obsolete genus subsequent authors moved species genus coined american zoologist dark regarded publication review southern african sharks continues confused species extremely variable coloration common pretty happy happy refers genus recently introduced public easily remembered alternative names apply species research efforts phylogenetic analysis based mitochondrial dna genes found dark brown sister species derived clade genus description reaching long dark differs slender bodied juvenile bodied adult head short wide flattened rounded snout large nostrils anterior nostrils bear greatly enlarged skin fused single reaches mouth nasal openings pair grooves run mouth large horizontally oval eyes equipped rudimentary membranes protective strong ridges beneath mouth short wide bears furrows corners extending jaws upper lower tooth rows tooth long central flanked pair smaller pairs gill slits located fairly high body dorsal fins nearly equal size placed far body originating pelvic fin bases second half anal fin base pectoral pelvic fins broad rounded males stout pelvic anal fins large dorsal fins broad caudal fin comprises fifth total body length strong notch near tip upper lobe indistinct lower lobe skin thick covered shaped dermal denticles coloration dark highly variable particular individuals resemble species background color ranges light brown reddish grayish black transitioning abruptly white cream dark beneath paired fins orange brown shaped tail edged obviously black white spots distribution habitat range dark restricted coastal waters southern africa north southern east mouth abundant particularly west species found close zone depth prefers rocky reefs forests presumably traverses sandy flats patches suitable habitat shark known travel long distances likely parts range biology ecology dark predator main food sources descending order importance small benthic crustaceans bony fishes larger sharks consume crustaceans worms taken occasion algae incidentally species preyed shark potentially large fishes marine mammals threatened adopts characteristic defense posture ring tail eyes behavior likely makes shark harder swallow origin common names captivity documented piercing egg cases species yolk known parasite dark blood like members genus dark adult females single functional functional appears distinct breeding season reproduction occurs year round females produce mature eggs time eggs enclosed purse shaped measuring long capsule plain amber dark brown color bears thin corners observation egg hatched days developing embryo external gill days old completely absorbed yolk sac shortly hatching eggs nature typically hatch months newly hatched shark measuring long sexes grow approximately rate reaching sexual maturity years age mature males females range long respectively maximum lifespan years human interactions dark poses danger humans small commercial importance hooked sport casting shore regard shark pest kill caught traps substantial quantities shark occasionally finds way trade direct fishing purpose dark remains common heavily threatened human activity assessed concern small range raise concerns increase regional fishing pressure habitat degradation impact entire population
Dark shyshark