| Family: |
Leptochariidae (Barbeled houndsharks) |
| Max. size: |
77 cm TL (male/unsexed); 82 cm TL (female) |
| Environment: |
demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 10 - 75 m |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Atlantic: Mauritania to Namibia (Ref. 127434). |
| Diagnosis: |
Similar to species of Mustelus but nostrils with anterior flaps formed into distinct barbels (Ref. 5485). |
| Biology: |
Found on the continental shelf, especially abundant off river mouths on muddy bottoms. Salinity: 35-36 ppt. Oxygen: 3-4 ppm. Feeds on small bottom and littoral organisms like crustaceans, bony fishes, octopi and sponges. Viviparous (Ref. 50449), with 7 young in a litter (Ref. 244). Dental sexual dimorphism is manifested by males having greatly enlarged anterior teeth. Utilized fresh, smoked or dried salted for human consumption, skin for leather. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 04 August 2020 (A2d) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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