Apristurus+albisoma

Apristurus albisoma (Whitish Catshark)  **Class: Chondrichthyes Order: Carcharhiniformes Family: Scyliorhinidae ** The Whitish Catshark was assessed as near threatened in 2003. It's justification for being put on the endangered species list is because it's contained to a very limited area at narrow depths. Also it is feared to be endangered due to bycatch of other deepwater species.
 * Endangered Species Act:**

Western South Pacific Ocean. Range from 10°S, 130°E to 20 °N, 170 °W This shark can be found at benthic, narrow depths on seamount slopes. For example, on the island edge of New Caledonia.
 * Location of Ecosystem:

****Physical Habitat Features:** //1. Geological Processes// ** __Earthquakes__ - yes __Volcanoes__ - yes __Sea Floor Spreading__ - yes, this causes most of the volcanoes that occur here __Subduction__ - yes, the plates making up the Pacific Ocean are experiencing this along many of their boundaries, which also cause the volcanic activity ** //2. Currents// North Equatorial Current and Kuroshio Current //3. Tides// The tidal range in this area is 0.17 //4. Temperature & Salinity// 26-28°C, 34-35 salinity

Non-migratory, slow moving
 * Migration Patterns:**

Population is unknown, however, one could guess the population is possibly decreasing due to bycatch of other deep water fish. ** **Appearance of Species: The whitish catshark has a soft and stocky body with somewhat fragile skin. It is multicolored with different shades of brown.
 * Population Estimates/Survival Trends:

****Reproduction:** The catsharks are Oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. Females will reach sexual maturity at 57 cm and males at 55 cm. The egg cases have a unique color and shape based on the type of catshark. The eggs are on their own from hatching. ** Anatomy: 1. Two equal-sized dorsal fins 2. Slightly larger anal fin 3. Long peduncle 4. Maximum length of 60 cm 5. Cylindrical body 6. Elongated (cat-like) eyes 7. Have from 40-110 rows of teeth  8. Contain a nidamental gland where sperm is stored 9. Short, bell-shaped snout 10. Five pairs of gill slits

** **Food Chain/Web:** ** These catsharks have a diet of small fish and invertebrates. The egg cases are consumed by anything from a snail to a whale. There are no specific predators for catsharks besides possibly fish bigger in size. ** **Economic Importance: Catsharks are harmless to humans and can only be an annoyance as useless bycatch. They have livers that are rich in oil and can be considered valuable, however, they are not as significant and usually just viewed as sport fish.

****Threats/Reason for Endangerment:** Every kind of shark is in danger of overfishing, especially considering they mature slowly. The whitish catshark is not in extreme endangerment, therefore, it's only major threat would be bycatch.

This animal is listed as near threatened and is only protected to that extent. 2. Control the amount of commercial fishing in areas with endangered species. 3. Tag and research to learn more about development and population on this catshark.// 
 * Conservation Efforts:** As of now, there are no conservation efforts in effect.
 * Solutions: ** //1. Find a smarter way to fish with less bycatch.

 **Sources: http://www.iucnredlist.org/ http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/OC5/WOA05F/woa05f.html http://lolingmanahane.blogspot.com/2007/12/sea-floor-spreading.html http://marinebio.org/Oceans/CurrentsandTides.asp http://www.tides.info/?command=view&location=Port+Broughton%2c+Australia ** http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/sharkland/catsharks/1943/ http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Scyliorhinidae.html

**SCAVENGER HUNT:** <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center; display: block;">1. Specifically, where would you be able to find this type of catshark? 2. What kind of water does the whitish catshark prefer? (Refer to Temperature, Salinity, etc.) 3. What does the Apristurus albisoma eat and what eats it? <span style="display: block; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;">