Orectolobus maculatus
Spotted Wobbegong Shark [+]
Description & Behavior
The spotted wobbegong shark, Orectolobus maculatus (Bonnaterre, 1788), aka wobbegong, reaches a maximum length of 3.2 m, and the average size of an adult male is between 1.5-1.8 m. They are yellow-green or brown in color with saddle- and O-shaped markings. The body and head of the wobbegong are flat in shape, and the mouth has a protruding jaw that aids in the capture of prey. The spotted wobbegong, like other wobbegong species, has nasal barbels and hanging tassels on and around the head and body. There are 2 dorsal fins, the first originating over the pelvis, the second just before the anal fin. The caudal fin is short and the pectoral and pelvic fins are broad. Other species of wobbegong are similar in appearance, however, the patterns of the spotted wobbegong are specific to this species and aid in camouflage among the reefs.
World Range & Habitat
The spotted wobbegong shark, Orectolobus maculatus, is found in relatively shallow waters in the eastern Indian Ocean, western Queensland, southern Australia, and possibly Japan and the South China Sea. They are found on the continental shelf, from the intertidal zone to 110 m. They are commonly found on coral and rocky reefs, under piers, and on sandy bottoms. They have also been known to swim in water so shallow that it barely covers their body.
Feeding Behavior (Ecology)
The spotted wobbegong shark, Orectolobus maculatus, feeds at night on octopuses, crabs, lobsters, sea bass, and luderick. They often lie still on the bottom while waiting for prey to swim close to their mouths. The spotted wobbegong has also been observed sneaking up on prey from a distance. The wobbegong shark is nocturnal, hunting at night and resting during the day.
Life History
The spotted wobbegong shark, Orectolobus maculatus, is ovoviviparous. The litters of spotted wobbegongs are large, in one case up to 37 pups were born from one female. During breeding season, males are attracted to females when they release pheromones into the water. While mating, like other shark species, males will bite females and insert one clasper into the cloaca to release sperm. The average size of the spotted wobbegong at birth is 21 cm.
Ovoviviparous: eggs are retained within the body of the female in a brood chamber where the embryo develops, receiving nourishment from a yolk sac. This is the method of reproduction for the "live-bearing" fishes where pups hatch from egg capsules inside the mother's uterus and are born soon afterward. Also known as aplacental viviparous.
Conservation Status/Additional Comments
The spotted wobbegong shark, Orectolobus maculatus, is harmless but will bite if disturbed by humans. The bite can cause severe lacerations, and the spotted wobbegong is known to clamp down on its victim without letting go. The International Shark Attack File reports 16 confirmed bites to humans by spotted wobbegongs of which only 2 were not provoked. None were fatal.
The spotted wobbegong or wobbegong is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species:
NEAR THREATENED (NT)
A taxon is Near Threatened when it has been evaluated against the criteria but does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable now, but is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.
References & Further Research
BioOne ~ CITES ~ Discover Life ~ GBIF ~ Google Scholar ~ ITIS ~ IUCN RedList ~ MarineBio Network ~ NCBI ~ SCIRIS ~ SIRIS ~ Tree of Life Web Project ~ Wikipedia
Description Spotted Wobbegong - Orectolobus maculatus - FLMNH
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