Apristurus breviventralis Kawauchi, weigmann & Nakaya, 2014
Shortbelly catshark
photo by Weigmann, S.

Family:  Pentanchidae (Deepwater catsharks)
Max. size:  48.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 1000 - 1120 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Gulf of Aden, off Socotra Islands.
Diagnosis:  This species of the ‘brunneus group’ of Apristurus is distinguished by the following characters: upper labial furrows distinctly longer than lower ones; first dorsal fin much smaller than second dorsal fin, originating distinctly posterior to level of pelvic-fin insertion; second dorsal-fin insertion clearly anterior to level of anal-fin insertion; snout moderately long, with pointed tip; pre-outer nostril length slightly greater than internarial width, about 0.6-0.8 times interorbital width; very short abdomen; pectoral-pelvic space much shorter than anal-fin base length; pectoral-fin tip posterior to level of midpoint of pectoral-pelvic space; spiral valves 17-19; monospondylous 33-36 and precaudal diplospondylous vertebrae 34-38; dermal denticles small giving a velvety texture to body surface; no enlarged dermal denticles along dorsal margin of caudal fin; claspers without hooks, posterior margin of exorhipidion forming a free lobe; colour of body and fins uniformly medium or dark brown (Ref. 97621).
Biology:  Maximum size of females is unknown. Smallest paratype (33.7 cm TL) with short and soft claspers of 2.5% TL, ranked as immature (maturity stage 1); while holotype and other paratypes (43.2-47.7 cm TL) with long, fully developed claspers (5.8-8.1% TL), ranked as mature (maturity stage 3) (Ref. 97621).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 February 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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