Apristurus parvipinnis Springer & Heemstra, 1979
Smallfin catshark
Apristurus parvipinnis
photo by JAMARC

Family:  Pentanchidae (Deepwater catsharks)
Max. size:  48 cm TL (male/unsexed); 52 cm TL (female)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 600 - 1380 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: northeastern Gulf of Mexico off Florida, Gulf of Campeche, Panama, Colombia, and off French Guiana. Had been originally termed Apristurus indicus by Springer (1966) but apparently not conspecific with the Indian Ocean species.
Diagnosis:  Second dorsal fin distinctly larger than the first (Ref. 13608).
Biology:  Found on the continental slope. Oviparous, apparently laying one egg per oviduct at a time. The most common Apristurus species in the Gulf of Mexico, along with A. laurussonii.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 June 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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