FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes Western

1236 Sharks
Rays (Batoidea): pectoral fins fused to head over
ventral gill slits, no neck at pectoral-fin bases,
usually a ventral mouth, and lower lobe of caudal fin
(when present) much shorter than the upper.
Key to the species of Squatinidae occurring in the area
1a. Anterior nasal barbels simple, with narrow spatulate tip . . . . . . . . . . . . . Squatina japonica
1b. Anterior nasal barbels strongly fringed (Fig. 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . → 2
2a. Interorbital space flat or convex, orbital thorns absent (Fig. 1a); numerous dark spots
on lower lobe of caudal fin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Squatina australis
2b. Interorbital space concave, orbital thorns usually present (Fig. 1b) more pale spots than
dark spots on lower lobe of caudal fin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Squatina sp. A
interorbital space
flat or convex
Fig. 1 frontal view of head
(after Last and Stevens, 1994)
List of species occurring in the area
The symbol is given when species accounts are included.
Squatina australis Regan, 1906
Squatina japonica Bleeker, 1858
Squatina sp. A [Last and Stevens, 1994]
ventral
mouth
gill slits
ventral view
interorbital
space concave
Batoidea
orbital thorns
a) Squatina australis
anterior nasal
barbels
b) Squatina sp. A
dorsal view
pectoral fin
References
Compagno, L.J.V. 1984. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 4. Sharks of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of
shark species known to date. Part 1. Hexanchiformes to Lamniformes. FAO Fish. Synop., (125)Vol.4,Pt.1:249 p.
Last, P. and J.D. Stevens. 1993. Sharks and rays of Australia. Australia, CSIRO, 513 p.