Speckled Swellshark, Cephaloscyllium speccum Last, Séret & White 2008


Other Names: Speckled Swell Shark

A Speckled Swellshark, Cephaloscyllium speccum. Source: Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO. License: CC by Attribution-NonCommercial

Summary:
A medium-sized pale greyish swell shark with a variegated pattern of dark spots, and white-spotted dark saddles and blotches on the upper side. Juveniles are pale yellowish with dark spots and lines, and a distinctive 'eyespot' or ocellus behind each eye. 

Cite this page as:
Dianne J. Bray, Cephaloscyllium speccum in Fishes of Australia, accessed 29 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2624

Speckled Swellshark, Cephaloscyllium speccum Last, Séret & White 2008

More Info


Distribution

Endemic to north Western Australia from off Rowley Shoals to Ashmore Reef, on the outer continental shelf and upper slope in depths of 150-455m.

Biology

Almost nothing is known of the biology, habitat and ecology of this species.

Etymology

The specific name speccum is from the Latin specca meaning 'speckled', in reference to the speckling of dark brown spots and blotches in this species.

Author

Dianne J. Bray

Speckled Swellshark, Cephaloscyllium speccum Last, Séret & White 2008

References


Compagno, L.J.V. & V.H. Niem, 1998. Scyliorhinidae. Catsharks. p. 1279-1292. In K.E. Carpenter and V.H. Niem (eds.) FAO Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO, Rome. (as Cephaloscyllium Sp E in part)

Compagno, L.J.V., D. Dando & S. Fowler. 2005. A field guide to the sharks of the world. Harper Collins Publishing Ltd., London, 368 pp. (as Cephaloscyllium Sp E in part)

Kyne, P.M. & Cavanagh, R.D. 2011. Cephaloscyllium speccum. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. . Downloaded on 09 February 2014.

Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 1994. Sharks and rays of Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Australia. 513 pp. (as Cephaloscyllium Sp E in part)


Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 2009. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Second Edition. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Australia.

Last, P.R., Séret, B. & White, W.T. 2008. New swellsharks (Cephalosyllium: Scyliorhinidae) from the Indo-Australian region. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper 22: 129–146.

Quick Facts


CAAB Code:37015033

Conservation:IUCN Data Deficient

Depth:150-455 m

Habitat:Bottom-dweller

Max Size:69 cm TL

Native:Endemic

Species Image Gallery

Species Maps

CAAB distribution map