Knifetooth Dogfish

The Knifetooth dogfish is a harmless shark found in the Atlantic Ocean. Since it is a rare deepwater shark, not much is known about it. Its name comes from its sharp and angular teeth, which are great for cutting into prey.

Knifetooth Dogfish Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Chondrichthyes
Order Squaliformes
Family Somniosidae
Genus Scymnodon
Scientific name S. ringens

Description

Knifetooth dogfish can grow up to 1.1 m (3.6 ft). They have a black body, a large, widely arched mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth, and a short, broad snout. The teeth in the upper jaw are shaped like lance heads, and those in the lower jaw are large and triangular. The gill slits are relatively long, the longest being over half the eye length.

The pectoral fins are narrow. Both the dorsal fins have short spines, with the second dorsal fin being bigger than the first. The tail fin is asymmetrical, with a faint notch and a missing lower lobe. The anal fin is absent.

Where do they live

Map Of The Knifetooth Dogfish Shark’s Habitat

Knifetooth Dogfish Habitat Map

This species inhabits the Eastern Atlantic between the latitudes 58°N and 15°N, from Scotland down to Portugal and from Mauritania to Senegal. It is also possibly found in the Southwest Pacific near New Zealand. It dwells on or near the bottom at depths of 200-1600 m (656-5,249 ft).

Behavior

Reproductive

They follow an ovoviviparous mode of reproduction. The litter size is unknown.

Adaptations

Their large, sharp teeth suggest they are formidable predators capable of taking down large prey. They also have smooth, streamlined bodies and sharp senses to facilitate hunting.

Human interactions

This shark is a common species in the East Atlantic and is often caught off the Spanish coast as a bycatch. It is susceptible to many fishing methods, such as line gear, fixed bottom nets, and trawlers. The meat is usually dried and salted for consumption.

The IUCN has classed this species as “Vulnerable” or “VU.”

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