Draughtboard Shark, Cephaloscyllium laticeps (Dumeril, 1853)

Introduction

The Draughtboard Shark is a stocky species that has a short broad head and widely spaced denticles. The species is endemic to Australia occuring in depths to at least 60 m, but is sometimes seen by divers in relatively shallow depths.

Identification

The Draughtboard Shark is a stocky species that has a short broad head and widely spaced denticles. There are two dorsal fins. The second dorsal fin which is located close to the caudal fin, is smaller than the first.

The species is grey to brownish above and pale below. The sides of the body are mottled with irregular dark blotches and a few pale flecks. There is usually a dark area below both eyes and a dark stripe along the midline of the belly.

Habitat

The Draughtboard Shark is the most common catshark in coastal southern Australia. It is a benthic species that occurs most commonly in continental shelf and continental slope waters down to at least 60 m, but is sometimes seen by divers in relatively shallow waters.

Distribution

The species is endemic to Australia, occurring from Sydney New South Wales, around the temperate south of the country, including Tasmania, to the Recherche Archipelago in south-eastern Western Australia.

Life history

The Draughtboard Shark is ~16-18 cm when hatched and is reported to grow to 1.5 m. Females mature at ~82 cm and lay distinctive flask-shaped egg cases (13 cm x 5 cm long) that have 19 to 27 strong transverse ridges. The egg cases are laid on the bottom where the tendrils attach to bottom-dwelling invertebrates and seaweed, they hatch after 12 months. Males mature at ~84 cm.

Behaviours and adaptations

When disturbed, the Draughtboard Shark can increase its body size by inflating its stomach with air or water. They are a huge problem for crayfish fishermen in Bass Strait where they enter crayfish pots in search of food. Their prey consist of squid, octopus, crustaceans and occasionally small fishes.