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Type: Article
Published: 2008-01-04
Page range: 49–67
Abstract views: 61
PDF downloaded: 5

Two new wobbegong sharks, Orectolobus floridus sp. nov. and O. parvimaculatus sp. nov. (Orectolobiformes: Orectolobidae), from southwestern Australia

Marine and Atmospheric Research, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, GPO Box 1538, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
Department of Fisheries, Government of Western Australia. Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, PO Box 20, North Beach, WA 6920, Australia.
Fish Orectolobus floridus Orectolobus parvimaculatus new species Orectolobiformes wobbegong sharks Western Australia

Abstract

Two new Orectolobus species, collected from the continental shelf off southwestern Australia as bycatch of a regional shark fishery, are described and figured. Orectolobus floridus sp. nov., which has a striking colour pattern of yellowish brown bands, blotches, spots and reticulations, occurs between Geraldton and Augusta at depths of 42–85 m. Orectolobus parvimaculatus sp. nov., another small, colourful wobbegong shark, which is sympatric with O. floridus and three other congeners, has been confused with a larger, more widespread wobbegong, O. maculatus. Orectolobus parvimaculatus occurs between Green Head and Mandurah at depths of 9–108 m. The new species differ from other Orectolobus species and each other by a combination of colour, morphology, body measurements and meristics.

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