Blind Shark, Brachaelurus waddi (Bloch & Schneider 1801)
Other Names: Blindshark, Brown Cat Shark, Brown Catshark, Brown Cat-shark, Dusky Dogfish
A Blindshark, Brachaelurus waddi, at North Solitary Island, New South Wales. Source: Ian V. Shaw / Reef Life Survey. License: CC by Attribution
Summary:
A greyish to brownish shark with pale spots and flecks, and darker saddles across the back that fade with growth. This nocturnal bottom-dwelling shark has a broad flattened head, distinctive barbels projecting from each nostril and two dorsal fins close together towards the rear of the body.
Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2019, Brachaelurus waddi in Fishes of Australia, accessed 19 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/1971
Blind Shark, Brachaelurus waddi (Bloch & Schneider 1801)
More Info
|
Distribution |
Endemic to eastern Australia from Moreton Bay, Queensland, to Jervis Bay, New South Wales. Records from the Northern Territory are yet to be confirmed. Inhabits rocky reefs, shorelines, and adjacent seagrass beds, sheltering in caves and under ledges during the day, moving out to feed at night. |
|
Features |
Caudal fin with its upper lobe at a low angle above body axis, with a strong terminal lobe and subterminal notch but no ventral lobe. |
|
Feeding |
Feeds on a variety of benthic invertebrates, including sea anemones, squid and crustaceans, as well as on small fishes. |
|
Biology |
Little is known of the life history of the Blind Shark. The species is aplacental yolksac viviparous, meaning that the young develop from eggs inside the uterus and are born live. Females produce litters of 7 to 8 young pups during late spring, that are born at a length of 17 cm TL. |
|
Remarks |
The common name Blind Shark refers to the habit of this species closing its eyes when removed from the water. |
|
Similar Species |
The closely-related Colclough's Shark has pale spots and flecks on the body, and a yellowish underside. |
|
Etymology |
Brachaelurus is from the Greek brachys meaning 'short", and ailouros meaning 'cat. |
|
Species Citation |
Squalus waddi Bloch & Schneider, 1801, Systema Ichthyologiae: 130. Type locality: near Sydney, Australia (as New Holland). |
|
Author |
Bray, D.J. 2019 |
|
Resources |
Blind Shark, Brachaelurus waddi (Bloch & Schneider 1801)
References
Bloch, M.E. & Schneider, J.G. 1801. Systema Ichthyologiae Iconibus ex Illustratum. Berlin 584 pp. 110 pls. See ref at BHL
Compagno, L.J.V. 1984. FAO Species Catalogue. Sharks of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Hexanchiformes to Lamniformes. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125. Rome : FAO Vol. 4(1) pp. 1-249.
Compagno, L.J.V. 2001. Sharks of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Bullhead, mackerel and carpet sharks (Heterodontiformes, Lamniformes and Orectolobiformes). Rome : FAO, FAO Species Catalogue for Fisheries Purposes No. 1 Vol. 2 269 pp.
Compagno, L.J.V., Dando, M. & Fowler, S. 2005. A Field Guide to the Sharks of the World. London : Collins 368 pp.
Compagno, L.J.V. & Niem, V.H. 1998. Families Squatinidae, Heterodontidae, Parascylliidae, Brachaeluridae, Orectolobidae, Hemiscylliidae. pp. 1235-1259 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 2 687-1396 pp.
Corrigan, S. & Beheregaray, L.B. 2009. A recent shark radiation: Molecular phylogeny, biogeography and speciation of wobbegong sharks (family: Orectolobidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 52 (1): 205-126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2009.03.007
Dulvy, N.K. & Reynolds, J.D. 1997. Evolutionary transitions among egg-laying, live-bearing and maternal inputs in sharks and rays. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 264: 1309-1315. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.1997.0181, open access
Goto, T. 2001. Comparative Anatomy, Phylogeny and Cladistic Classification of the order Orectolobiformes (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii). Memoirs of the Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences Hokkaido University 48: 1-100.
Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp.
Grant, E.M. 2002. Guide to Fishes. Redcliffe : EM Grant Pty Ltd 880 pp.
Günther, A. 1872. Report on several collections of fishes recently obtained for the British Museum. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1871(3): 652-675 pls 53-70 (described as Chiloscyllium modestum) See ref at BHL
Hutchins, J.B. & Swainston, R. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete field guide for anglers and divers. Perth : Swainston Publishing 180 pp.
Johnson, J.W. 2010. Fishes of the Moreton Bay Marine Park and adjacent continental shelf waters, Queensland, Australia. pp. 299-353 in Davie, P.J.F. & Phillips, J.A. Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Marine Biological Workshop, The Marine Fauna and Flora of Moreton Bay. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 54(3)
Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 437 pp.
Kyne, P. M. 2008. Chondrichthyans and the Queensland East Coast Trawl Fishery: bycatch reduction, biology, conservation status and sustainability. Ph.D. Thesis, The University of Queensland, Brisbane.
Kyne, P.M. & Bennett, M.B. (SSG Australia & Oceania Regional Workshop, March 2003) 2003. Brachaelurus waddi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3.
Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Canberra : CSIRO Australia 513 pp. 84 pls.
Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 2009. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Collingwood : CSIRO Publishing Australia 2, 550 pp.
Macleay, W.J. 1881. Descriptive catalogue of the fishes of Australia. Part 4. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 1 6(2): 202-387 See ref at BHL
Michael, S.W. 1993. Reef sharks and rays of the world. A guide to their identification, behavior and ecology. Sea Challengers, Monterey, California.
Michael, S.W. 2001. Aquarium sharks and rays: an essential guide to their selection, keeping, and natural history. Microcosm Ltd., Charlotte, Vermont, and T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, New Jersey.
Regan, C.T. 1908. A revision of the sharks of the family Orectolobidae. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1908: 347-364 figs 11-13 (as Heteroscyllium modestus) See ref at BHL
Stead, D.G. 1963. Sharks and Rays of Australian Seas. Sydney : Angus & Robertson 211 pp. 63 figs.
Timm, L.L. & Fish, F.E. 2012. A comparative morphological study of head shape and olfactory cavities of sharks inhabiting benthic and coastal/pelagic environments. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 414-415: 75-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2012.01.016
Waite, E.R. 1901. Studies in Australian sharks, with diagnosis of a new family. Records of the Australian Museum 4(1): 28-35 (as Hemiscyllium modestum)
Whitley, G.P. 1934. Notes on some Australian sharks. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 10(4): 180-200 figs 1-4 pls 27-29
Whitley, G.P. 1940. The Fishes of Australia. Part 1. The sharks, rays, devil-fish, and other primitive fishes of Australia and New Zealand. Sydney : Roy. Zool. Soc. N.S.W. 280 pp. 303 figs.
