(Atelomycteridae)
Coloured Catsharks
Кольорові котячі акули
Atelomycteridae, the coloured catsharks, is a family of sharks belonging to the order Carcharhiniformes. These sharks are found in the Indian, Pacific and Western Atlantic Oceans.
Genus Atelomycterus
Representatives of this genus range from 50 cm to 1 m in total length. The head is of moderate size, with dilated nostrils and elongated, cat-like eyes. There are two medium-sized dorsal fins of equal size, with the second positioned close to the caudal fin. The upper lobe of the caudal fin is wide and elongated, while the lower lobe is poorly developed. A distinctive feature of these sharks is their coloration: the skin is predominantly gray, brown, or light brown, and is marked with spots or stripes of varying size that are generally darker than the background. The eyes are brown or gray.
It is found in shallow waters, often near coral reefs—hence its name. It prefers sandy, silty, or rocky substrates and feeds on small fish and benthic invertebrates. It is oviparous.
Genus Aulohalaelurus
Representatives of this genus reach a total length of 60–70 cm. The head is thick, with a slightly elongated, rounded snout. The eyes are small and cat-like, as in all members of this family. The body is elongated, with two identical dorsal fins. The caudal fin is obliquely truncated. The coloration is gray to brownish, with spots or speckles distributed over the entire body.
They prefer shallow to moderate depths and are active at night. They feed on small fish, cephalopods, and benthic crustaceans. They are oviparous sharks.
Genus Schroederichthys
Representatives of this genus range from 33 to 70 cm in total length. The head is broad, and the snout is broadly rounded. The eyes are oval (sometimes almond-shaped), horizontally oriented, and equipped with a nictitating membrane. The nostrils bear nasal valves. The mouth varies among species, being moderately wide to narrow. The teeth are small and multicuspid, with numerous tips. There are five pairs of short gill slits. The body is slender and elongated. The pectoral fins are broad. Two dorsal fins of similar size are present and are positioned on the tail. The pelvic fins are low and broad. The caudal fin is long and heterocercal.
The coloration is variegated, with brown or gray tones and numerous white or dark saddle-shaped spots, typically 6–9 in number.
These sharks are relatively sluggish and slow-moving. They are benthic, hunting near the bottom. They feed on small crustaceans, cephalopods, and small bony fishes. They are oviparous sharks.
(Atelomycterus baliensis)
Bali Catshark
Коралова акула балійська
It is found only off the Indonesian island of Bali at depths of 0–100 m.
(Atelomycterus erdmanni)
Spotted-belly Catshark
Котяча акула плямисточерева
It is found in eastern Indonesia at depths of 3–62 m.
(Atelomycterus fasciatus)
Banded Sand Catshark
Коралова акула смугаста
It is found in the Indo–West Pacific Ocean, endemic to northern Australia between latitudes 10–21°S, at depths of 27–120 m.
(Atelomycterus macleayi)
Marbled Catshark
Австралійська мармурова акула
It is found in the eastern Indian Ocean, endemic to Western Australia between latitudes 12–21°S, in very shallow waters at depths of 0.5–4 m.
(Atelomycterus marmoratus)
Coral Catshark
Коралова акула мармурова
It can be found from Pakistan and India to Southeast Asia and Taiwan, including the Philippines and New Guinea.
(Atelomycterus marnkalha)
Eastern Banded Catshark
Коралова акула смугаста
It is found in the western Pacific, from Gladstone in central-eastern Queensland, Australia, to the southern reaches of Papua New Guinea, at depths of 11–74 m.
(Aulohalaelurus labiosus)
Black-spotted Catshark
Котяча акула чорноплямиста
It is found in shallow coasts and offshore reefs in western Australia.
(Aulohalaelurus kanakorum)
Kanakorum Catshark
Губата котяча акула новокаледонська
It is known only from New Caledonia in the western central Pacific Ocean, where it was recorded on an external coral reef at a depth of 49 m.
(Schroederichthys bivius)
Narrowmouthed Catshark
Плямиста котяча акула вузькорота
It is found from central Chile around the Strait of Magellan to Argentina, between latitudes 23° S and 56° S, at depths down to 360 m.
(Schroederichthys chilensis)
Redspotted Catshark
Плямиста котяча акула чилійська
It is found in the coastal waters of the south-eastern Pacific, from central Peru to southern Chile, at depths down to 100 m.
(Schroederichthys maculatus)
Narrowtail Catshark
Плямиста котяча акула вузькохвоста
It is found off the coasts of Honduras and Nicaragua, between latitudes 18° N and 10° N, at depths of 190–410 m.
(Schroederichthys saurisqualus)
Lizard Catshark
Плямиста котяча акула-ящірка
It is found off the coast of southern Brazil on the upper continental shelf at depths of 250–500 m.
(Schroederichthys tenuis)
Slender Catshark
Плямиста котяча акула струнка
It is found on the upper continental slope off the coast of Suriname, French Guiana and northern Brazil, including the mouth of the Amazon River at depths of 25–450 m.
