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Sharks Smooth
Dogfish Shark
Smooth Dogfish Shark
Common Name: Smooth Dogfish Shark
Scientific Name: Mustelus canis
Description
The smooth dogfish
was originally described as Squalus canis by Mitchill in 1815
and later changed to the currently valid name of Mustelus
canis. Mustelus is Latin in origin, and is translated
as "weasel-like" while canis means "dog" in Latin.Mustelus
canis insularis (Heemstra 1997) has been described as a subspecies
of the smooth dogfish, occurring in parts of the Caribbean
Sea. This subspecies usually occurs at greater depths
(>655 feet (200 m)) than the Mustelus canis and prefers rocky
bottom habitats.
Habitat & Range
As
one of the most abundant sharks on the east coast of the U.S.,
the smooth dogfish's range is primarily the western Atlantic
Ocean, from Massachusetts to Florida (U.S.), and from southern
Brazil to northern Argentina. It is also found in the northern
Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and Bermuda.
A common resident on continental shelves, bays, and other
inshore waters, the smooth dogfish prefers shallow waters
of less than 60 feet (18 m) in depth but may be found to depths
of 655 feet (200 m). This species has also been found on occasion
in freshwater although it is unlikely they can survive freshwater
for extended periods of time.
Biology
This
small, slender shark has two large spineless dorsal fins with
the first dorsal slightly larger than the second. The second
dorsal fin is approximately twice as large as the anal fin
and positioned slightly anterior to the anal fin. The lower
lobe of the tail is rounded and much shorter than the upper
lobe. The subspecies Mustelus canis insularis appears identical
to Mustelus canis, however it differs in possessing a slightly
higher dorsal fin and a longer caudal fin tip. The main distinction
between these two species is the number of vertebrae, with
the subspecies Mustelus canis insularis having more vertebrae
than Mustelus canis. Maximum total length for the smooth dogfish
has been documented as 59 inches total length(150 cm) with
a maximum weight of (27 pounds) 12.2 kg. Smooth dogfish reach
maximum size at seven to eight years of age.
Food & Reproduction
Food:
As a scavenger and
opportunistic predator, the nocturnal smooth dogfish
feeds primarily on large crustaceans, including lobsters,
shrimp, and crabs, as well as small fish and mollusks. The
flat, blunt teeth of the dogfish are used to crush and grind
these prey items which have tough outer body coverings.
Reproduction:
Mating occurs throughout
most of the smooth dogfish's range from May through
July. Female smooth dogfish are capable to storing live sperm
throughout the year, although it is unknown if this sperm
can be utilized for fertilizing eggs. The smooth dogfish is
a viviparous species with a yolk-sac placenta and a placental
connection between the mother and embryo. Following a gestation
period of approximately 10-11 months.
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