Revision of the Western Indian Ocean Angel Sharks, Genus Squatina (Squatiniformes, Squatinidae), with Description of a New Species and Redescription of the African Angel Shark Squatina africana Regan, 1908

• Published in: Biology (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2023-07, Vol.12 (7), p.975
• Main Authors: Weigmann, Simon, Vaz, Diego F B, Akhilesh, K V, Leeney, Ruth H, Naylor, Gavin J P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: angel sharks; Body measurements; Cartilage; Chondrichthyes; Coloration; diversity; Elasmobranchii; Genetic analysis; Identification keys; Morphology; New species; Ocean floor; Physical characteristics; Sharks; Species extinction; Squatina; Squatina africana; systematics; Taxonomic revision; Taxonomy; Vertebrae
• ISSN: 2079-7737; 2079-7737
• DOI: 10.3390/biology12070975

Sampling efforts on the Saya de Malha Bank (part of the Mascarene Plateau, western Indian Ocean) unveiled three unusual small juvenile angel shark specimens, that were a much paler color than the only known western Indian Ocean species, Regan, 1908. However, it took many years before further specimens, including adults of both sexes, and tissue samples were collected. The present manuscript contains a redescription of based on the holotype and additional material, as well as the formal description of the new species of . All specimens of the new species, hereafter referred to as sp. nov., were collected in the western Indian Ocean off southwestern India and on the Mascarene Plateau at depths of 100-500 m. The new species differs from in a number of characteristics including its coloration when fresh, smaller size at birth, size at maturity, and adult size, genetic composition, and distribution. Taxonomic characteristics include differences in the morphology of the pectoral skeleton and posterior nasal flap, denticle arrangement and morphology, vertebral counts, trunk width, pectoral-pelvic space, and clasper size. A key to the species of in the Indian Ocean is provided.