Paragaleus pectoralis, Atlantic Weasel Shark [+]

Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Elasmobranchii Order Carcharhiniformes Family Hemigaleidae Genus Paragaleus species: Paragaleus pectoralis [+ITIS +WoRMS]

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Description & Behavior

The Atlantic weasel shark, Paragaleus pectoralis (Garman, 1906), has a moderately long snout, and large eyes with nictitating membranes that protect the eyes during prey capture. They have a short, small mouth with small, serrated upper teeth and erect, cusped lower teeth. This species measures about 1.4 m as adults and are light gray or bronze in color with vertical yellow stripes.

This mid-sized shark species resembles requiem sharks with a slender body and 2 dorsal fins; the first is found in front of the pelvic fins and is larger than the second. The two pectoral fins are long and pointed, and the anal fin is smaller than the second dorsal fin. The Atlantic weasel shark has an asymmetric caudal fin with a strong ventral lobe and precadual pits.

World Range & Habitat

The Atlantic weasel shark is a tropical species that inhabits depths up to 100 m. They are found in the eastern Atlantic from Cape Verde and Mauritania to northern Namibia and possibly as far north as Morocco. This species tends to inhabit both inshore and offshore waters around the continental shelf. This is the only weasel shark species in the eastern Atlantic.

» GBIF occurrence data in Google Earth [Tips] | Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) (World Distribution) [about]

Feeding Behavior (Ecology)

The Atlantic weasel shark is unique in that it is not an opportunistic feeder. This species is a specialist feeder that preys primarily on cephalopods and occasionally on small bony fishes.

Life History

The Atlantic weasel shark, Paragaleus pectoralis, has a very low, minimum population doubling time of more than 14 years. This viviparous species gives birth to litters of 1-4 pups that measure 47 cm. Atlantic weasel sharks demonstrate reproductive behavior that includes a distinct pairing with embrace.

Viviparous: embryo develops inside the body of the female from which it gains nourishment.
Population doubling time: The number of years required for the population of a given species to double its present size, given the current rate of population growth, used to measure a specie's resilience to fishing pressure or other environmental stressors.