Spikey Dogfish, Squalus megalops (Macleay, 1881)
Common Dogfish, Dog Shark, Dogshark, Greeneye, Piked Dogfish, Piked Spurdog, Shortnose Spiny Dogfish, Shortnose Spurdog, Shortnosed Spurdog, Skittle Dog, Skittle Dogfish, Spiked Dogfish, Spikey, Spikey Dog, Spiny Dogfish, Spur Dog, Spurdog, Tasmanian Dogfish
Introduction
The Spikey Dogfish is a small shark with slender spines in front of both dorsal fins. It is grey to greyish brown (bronzy coloured in life) with a pale caudal fin margin.
Distribution
The species occurs in tropical and temperate waters of Australia, but is not recorded from the Northern Territory or tropical Queensland. The species may be endemic to Australia, although there are unconfirmed reports of the species in the eastern Atlantic, south-western Indian and northern Pacific oceans.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
References
- Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
- Last, P.R. & J.D. Stevens. 2009. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Edition 2. CSIRO. Pp. 644, Pl. 1-91.