| Flaccid catshark | |
|---|---|
| |
| Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Order: | Carcharhiniformes |
| Family: | Pentanchidae |
| Genus: | Apristurus |
| Species: | A. exsanguis |
| Binomial name | |
| Apristurus exsanguis Sato, Nakaya & A. L. Stewart, 1999 | |
| |
The flaccid catshark (Apristurus exsanguis) is a shark of the family Pentanchidae. It is endemic to the waters around New Zealand.
Distribution
This species is found only around New Zealand, although this species' collection records indicate it is widespread and probably continuously distributed over the mid- to lower slope around New Zealand. The biology of all Apristurus species within the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone is very poorly known due to the uncertain taxonomy of the group. They appear to be most abundant below 1,000 m, and are the only sharks regularly taken in research trawls below 1,200 m on the Chatham Rise. As relatively little fishing occurs below 1,200 m, a large part of their population may be effectively beyond fishing depths.
Conservation status
The New Zealand Department of Conservation has classified the flaccid catshark as "Data deficient" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.
References
- Finucci, B.; Kyne, P.M. (2018). "Apristurus exsanguis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T41719A116736644. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T41719A116736644.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ Roberts, Clive; Stewart, A. L.; Struthers, Carl D.; Barker, Jeremy; Kortet, Salme; Freeborn, Michelle (2015). The fishes of New Zealand. Vol. 2. Wellington, New Zealand: Te Papa Press. ISBN 9780994104168. OCLC 908128805.
- Leonard J. V., Compagno; Dando, Marc; Fowler, Sarah L. (2005). Sharks of the world. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0691120720. OCLC 57718990.
- Duffy, Clinton A. J.; Francis, Malcolm; Dunn, M. R.; Finucci, Brit; Ford, Richard; Hitchmough, Rod; Rolfe, Jeremy (2016). Conservation status of New Zealand chondrichthyans (chimaeras, sharks and rays), 2016 (PDF). Wellington, New Zealand: Department of Conservation. p. 9. ISBN 9781988514628. OCLC 1042901090.