Morphology Data of Squatina africana
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Weigmann, S., D.F.B. Vaz, K.V. Akhilesh, R.H. Leeney and G.J.P. Naylor, 2023
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral
Cross section flattened
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

This medium-sized angel shark species (maximum size 122.0 or possibly 130.0 cm TL) posess the following characters: no median row of scute-like denticles on the trunk; anterior nasal flap has two lateral, elongate barbels and a medial rectangular barbel, the ventral margin of medial barbel is slightly fringed, but that of lateral barbels are almost smooth; posterior nasal flap without additional barblet; concave between eyes; pectoral-pelvic space 6.0-10.2% TL; pectoral-fin apex is angular; pelvic-fin free rear tips do not reach level of first dorsal-fin origin; tail moderately long, its length from cloaca 51.2-53.2% TL; pectoral fins are moderately long, length 31.8-35.6% TL; dorsal fins are not lobe-like; first dorsal-fin base is somewhat longer than second dorsal-fin base; caudal fin of adults with angular apices; monospondylous centra 46-49; diplosondylous precaudal centra 58-62; total precaudal centra 104-111; total vertebral centra 134-143; pectoral-fin skeleton is with propterygium articulating with three radials. Colouration: dorsal medium to dark brown, reddish-brown or grayish, with a variable pattern of numerous light and dark reddish spots and blotches, marbled with brownish reticulations and partially forming symmetrical dark bands or saddles (Ref. 128961).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Squatina africana

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total
Soft-rays total
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total
Soft-rays total

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
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