Greeneye Spurdog, Squalus chloroculus Last, White & Motomura 2007

Introduction

The Greeneye Spurdog, Squalus chloroculus is a medium dogfish species native to southern Australia. The Greeneye Spurdog is a new species, recently described in 2007. It was previously considered to be part of the Squalus mitsukurii species complex.

Identification

The Greeneye Spurdog is a medium sized dogfish with a broad pointed snout, prominent dorsal spines and a short caudal fin. It is grey on the dorsal surface and pale on the ventral surface, with a dark marginal bar above the posterior notch of the caudal fin.

Habitat

This species primarily inhabits the upper to mid continental slope between 200 and 1360 meters deep.

Distribution

The Greeneye Spurdog is endemic to southern Australia, ranging from off Jervis Bay, New South Wales, to the Great Australian Bight, Western Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Life cycle

The Greeneye Spurdog is viviparous (live birth), with males maturing between 9-12 years of age at approximately 63 cm total length. Females reach maturity at around 16 years of age and 80cm total length, female reach a larger size than males with a maximum lifespan of 26 years estimated. The species has a slow reproductive cycle, with a gestation period estimated to be between 31 and 34 months with 4-15 pups born.

Primary threats

The Greeneye Spurdog is assessed as Endangered (IUCN) and faces significant threats from intensive fishing activities due to its low biological productivity, high longevity and low reproductive output. Fishing activities such as demersal trawling and automatic longlining have led to a decline in population size, particularly in New South Wales, eastern Victoria, and Tasmania.