| Family: |
Somniosidae (Sleeper sharks) |
| Max. size: |
110 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathypelagic; marine; depth range 200 - 1600 m |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Atlantic: along the slope from Scotland to Spain, Portugal, Senegal. Southwest Pacific: New Zealand (Ref. 26346). |
| Diagnosis: |
Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. Black in color; small dorsal fin spines; short snout; small lanceolate teeth without cusplets in upper jaw and huge high, knife-cusped cutting teeth in lower jaw; mouth very wide and broadly arched; caudal fin with weak subterminal notch and no lower lobe (Ref. 247). |
| Biology: |
A rare species (Ref. 26346) inhabiting continental slopes (Ref. 247). Usually mesopelagic although taken most often near the bottom (Ref. 10717). Its razor-edged lower teeth is used to attack and dismember large prey (Ref. 247). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). Utilized dried salted for human consumption and for fishmeal (Ref. 247). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 21 November 2019 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
traumatogenic |
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