Diagnosis

A moderately-sized, rather slender shark with two high dorsal fins; grey-brown with no prominent white spots on the dorsum. Snout gradually rounded with elongate and prominent nasal flaps which are well seperated from each other and the mouth; internasal distance more than 1.4 times nostril width; eyes large, horizontally elongate with strong subocular ridges; spiracle rather prominent. Mouth  triangular in shape, with teeth in both jaws low, small and molariform with weakly-developed cusps, arranged in a pavement-like fashion; labial furrows prominent and with uppers slightly longer than lowers. Buccopharyngeal denticles occur only on the tip of tongue and front of palate. First dorsal fin origin over pectoral free tip. Dorsal fins of similar shape; tall and broadly triangular, the second slightly smaller; interdorsal space 18 - 25% TL; pectoral fins broad with anterior margins measuring 13 - 17% TL;  anal fin smaller than second dorsal. Caudal fin strongly asymmetrical and falcate in adults; ventral lobe only moderately developed; terminal lobe well-developed. Colour mid-grey to grey-brown dorsally, shading to paler grey or white ventrally; no prominent white spots but sometimes with sporadic darker brown spots on dorsum.

Size

Attaining 164cm but usually to 150cm maximum; common to 100-120cm; size at birth ca 35cm TL.

Status and Distribution

Mediterranean Sea: Very common; locally abundant. Entire Mediterranean over continental shelf, including Adriatic and Sea of Marmara but not Black Sea.

Biology

A common demersal species of coastal waters, usually above 150m but has been reported down to 250m (350m elsewhere). Smoothhounds frequent both inshore and offshore habitats, often over tidal flats, off estaury mouths and in shallow bays with sandy, muddy or gravel substrate; offshore occurrences typically associated to submerged banks and similar topographical features where these sharks may rally in large numbers (e.g., Adventure Bank in the Sicilian Channel). They are generally encountered on or near the bottom but will occasionally swim at midwater. Prey is mostly benthic crustaceans including hermit and other crabs, lobsters, and shrimp; less frequently feeding on cephalopods (squid, octopus) and small bony fish including eels. A viviparous species although with development of a primitive placenta in pregnant females;  4 - 15 (usually up to 10) pups per litter with gestation period at 10 - 11 months. Females mature at ca. 80cm and males between 70 - 74 cm TL.