False Catsharks

The Pseudotriakidae are a small family of ground sharks, belonging to the order Carcharhiniformes, containing the false catsharks (genera Pseudotriakis and Planonasus) and gollumsharks (genus Gollum). These are poorly known deep-sea sharks that inhabit the outer continental and insular shelves and slopes, living on or near the bottom at depths of 100–2,430 m.

These are small to large sharks (adults 56–295 cm in length) with a narrowly rounded head and a more or less elongated, bell-shaped snout. A deep groove is present in front of the elongated, cat-like eyes, which possess rudimentary nictitating eyelids. Barbels and nasoral grooves are absent. The internarial space is more than 1.5 times the width of a nostril. The mouth is long, angular, and arched, extending past the anterior ends of the eyes. There are no papillae inside the mouth or on the edges of the gill arches. Labial furrows are short but always present. The first dorsal fin is more or less elongated, with its base closer to the pectoral-fin bases than to the pelvic-fin bases. Precaudal pits are absent. The caudal fin has a weak lower lobe or none at all, and its dorsal margin lacks lateral undulations. Coloration is usually plain grey to brown or blackish, although some species of Gollum have white spots and pale fin margins.

Reproduction is viviparous as far as known. At least three species are oophagous, with embryos feeding on nutritive eggs. They likely prey upon small fishes and invertebrates.