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Type: Articles
Published: 2007-07-05
Page range: 19–36
Abstract views: 96
PDF downloaded: 1

Description of a new species of catshark, Atelomycterus marnkalha n. sp. (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from north-east Australia

School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Queensland Australia
School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Queensland Australia
Pisces Carcharhiniformes Scyliorhinidae Atelomycterus marnkalha catshark Great Barrier Reef Torres Strait

Abstract

A new atelomycterine catshark species (Scyliorhinidae: Atelomycterinae), Atelomycterus marnkalha n. sp., is described from north-east Australia (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Torres Strait and Gulf of Carpentaria). It differs from A. baliensis, A. marmoratus and A. macleayi in having posteroventally sloping dorsal fins, a lower precaudal vertebrae count and smaller adult size. Most similar to the Western Australian catshark species A. fasciatus, A. marnkalha differs from this species in having a larger anal fin, lateral denticles with prominent shallow depressions, claspers of adult males with a cover rhipidion lacking an obvious notch and its colour pattern with prominent white spots and fewer, smaller black spots.

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