The angular angelshark or Squantina guggenheim are sharks in the Squantinidae family. They originate in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina while living in marine, brackish, and demersal environments at depth of approximately 4-360 m. Their typical food sources consist of bony fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.[1]
| Angular angelshark | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Order: | Squatiniformes |
| Family: | Squatinidae |
| Genus: | Squatina |
| Species: | S. guggenheim
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| Binomial name | |
| Squatina guggenheim Marini, 1936
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| |
| Range of Angular angelshark (in blue) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Squatina punctata Marini, 1936 | |
Morphology
editThe Squantina guggenheim is shaped like a ray and in males, a spiny surface is located on its pectoral fins.[1]However, this spiny surface is absent in females and younglings. This spiny structure is thought to help hold females while mating. Typically, both males and females range 89-130 cm in length. Squantina guggenheim have 18-22 teeth in the upper and lower jaw.
Life Cycle
editThe Squantina guggenheim like some Chondrichthyes is ovoviviparous, however the females' left ovary is only functional and the embryos use the yolk as nutrition during the pregnancy. The right ovary has been found to have very little oocytes and is ineffective.[2] Typically, females will carry for 9-12 months and have approximately 3-9 pups in shallow waters.[3]
Distribution
editSquantina guggenheim is found primarily in the Southwestern Atlantic. They are abundant along the coast of Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. This area is a subtropical zone and is at a latitude of 20°S - 45°S and a longitude of 68°W - 40°W.[1] Typically, Squantina guggenheim are found in sandy or muddy areas of the ocean floor.[3]
Conservation
editCurrently, Squantina guggenheim is considered an endangered species by the IUCN red list due to overfishing and are more susceptible due to the fact they are bottom dwellers. In addition, it may be possible females leave their young earlier on due to the stresses induced from fishing. Currently, Brazil has not taken any action in helping restore this species population.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Squatina guggenheim, Angular angel shark". www.fishbase.de. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
- ^ "Squatina guggenheim | Shark-References". shark-references.com. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
- ^ a b c "Squatina guggenheim (Angular angel shark)". sharks, rays and chimaeras. Retrieved 2022-04-12.