Bythaelurus lutarius

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
ANIMALIA CHORDATA CHONDRICHTHYES CARCHARHINIFORMES SCYLIORHINIDAE

Scientific Name: Bythaelurus lutarius
Species Authority: (Springer & D'Aubrey, 1972)
Common Name/s:
English Brown Catshark, Mud Catshark
French Holbiche Des Vases
Spanish Pejegato Fanguero
Synonym/s:
Halaelurus lutarius Springer & D'Aubrey, 1972

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria: Data Deficient     ver 3.1
Year Assessed: 2004
Assessor/s Robinson, L.
Evaluator/s: Human, B., Cavanagh, R.D., Kyne, P.M. & Fowler, S.L. (Shark Red List Authority)
Justification:
Bythaelurus lutarius is a deepwater catshark endemic to East Africa, apparently patchily distributed from Somalia and Mozambique. It may be taken as bycatch, although its depth range (338 to 766 m) and small size does not make it susceptible to significant fisheries pressure. There are no population estimates and life history data are limited, although it has a potential low fecundity. Further information is required and the situation should be re-assessed as deepwater fisheries expand in the region.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description: Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique and Somalia.
Countries:
Native:
Mozambique; Somalia
FAO Marine Fishing Areas:
Native:
Indian Ocean – western

Population [top]

Population Trend: Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology: A deepwater tropical catshark of the continental slope occurring on or just above bottom on mud substrates at 338 to 766 m (Compagno et al. 1989).

Apparently ovoviviparous. Matures at 31 to 34 cm TL (male) and 31 to 39 cm TL (female), size at birth 10 cm TL. Feeds on cephalopods, small bony fishes and crustaceans (Bass et al. 1975).
Systems: Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s): May be taken as bycatch in trawl fisheries. No details available, but due to its depth range, it is likely to be caught on an irregular basis. The situation should be re-assessed as deepwater fisheries expand in the region.
Citation: Robinson, L. 2004. Bythaelurus lutarius. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 10 February 2010.
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