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Natal Shyshark

Haploblepharus kistnasamyi

About

The natal shyshark is one of many poorly known species of South African catsharks.

This species was only described in 2006 and all the existing information comes from only three adult specimens! The three adult individuals of this shyshark were collected from KwaZulu-Natal in an area less than 100m². Thus, this species has a very restricted range and a very small population size. It is thought that the species prefers shallow waters in the intertidal zone up to 35 m depth.

  • Order: Carcharhiniformes
  • Family: Scyliorhinidae
  • Population: Unknown
  • Trend: unknown
  • Size: 65 cm (?)
  • Depth Range (m): 5-35m

EDGE Score

EDGE Score: 6.14 (?)
ED Score: 27.87 (?)
GE / IUCN Red List (?)
Not Evaluated Data Deficient Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Extinct

Distribution

This species has been found is the Western Indian Ocean, restricted to KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, in South Africa.

Habitat and Ecology

Further research is required as very little is known about the habitat and ecology of this species apart from that they appear to prefer coastal, shallow waters.

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