Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) >
Squaliformes (Sleeper and dogfish sharks) >
Somniosidae (Sleeper sharks)
Etymology: Zameus: zame, Japanese for shark (at the time, Z. squamulosus was known only from Japan) (See ETYFish); squamulosus: Latin for covered or beset with small scales, “so minute as to give a velvety appearance to the skin” (See ETYFish).
More on author: Günther.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 2200 m (Ref. 6871), usually 400 - 900 m (Ref. 55584). Deep-water; 68°N - 56°S, 180°W - 180°E
Atlantic, Indian and Pacific tropical oceans.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?, range 59 - ? cm
Max length : 84.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 6871)
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Anal spines: 0. Black in color, small dorsal fin spines, moderately long snout, small lanceolate teeth without cusplets in upper jaw and large high, knife-cusped cutting teeth in lower jaw, mouth moderately wide and nearly transverse, caudal fin with strong subterminal notch and short lower lobe (Ref. 247).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
Demersal or pelagic near continental slopes and seamounts in depths of 550-2,000 m (Ref. 6871, 58302). Also found from the surface to 580 m over deep water (Ref. 26346). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). Used dried and salted for human consumption and for fishmeal (Ref. 6871). Caught rarely by longline fisheries operating in deepwater; also caught, but rarely landed, by pelagic tuna longline fisheries (Ref.58048).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Distinct pairing with embrace (Ref. 205). Presumambly viviparous, with yolk-sac dependancy (Ref.58048).
Compagno, L.J.V., 1984. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 4. Sharks of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 1 - Hexanchiformes to Lamniformes. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(4/1):1-249. Rome, FAO. (Ref. 247)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
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