Diagnosis

A small, distinctively-marked shark with two spined dorsal fins of which the second is considerably larger; no anal fin; caudal fin short with small ventral lobe; gill openings very small, spiracle and eyes prominent, interior of mouth black. Light-emitting photophores present ventrally. Colour brown dorsally; ventral surfaces black with abrupt demarcation between these pigments; black lines above pelvic fin and on caudal fin as shown in illustration. Skin texture feels rather like velvet to the touch. Unlikely to be misidentified in the region.

Size

Maximum ca. 60 cm TL; length at birth 12 to 14 cm. Most adults less than 45cm TL.

Status and Distribution

Frequent; wide-ranging through the Western and central Mediterranean, sometimes including the extreme lower Adriatic and Ionian Sea near Italy and Malta; rare or perhaps even absent further east.

Biology

A generally common small deepwater shark of outer continental shelves and upper slopes, found mostly on or near the bottom at 200-500m but ranges down to 2000m; biology rather poorly known. Abundance based on :andings appears to fluctuate greatly at some locales such as Malta. Feeds upon small teleost fishes, cephalopods and crustaceans. Ovoviviparous, with litters ranging from 6 to 20 pups; gestation period ca. 6 months. Size at maturity ca. 33 to 36 cm.