Redspotted catshark 4551031 220886642 2008-06-22T02:11:32Z Canglesea 4789991 /* Conservation status and economic impact */ punct. {{Taxobox | name = Redspotted catshark | status = DD | status_system = IUCN3.1 | trend = unknown | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordata]] | classis = [[Chondrichthyes]] | ordo = [[Carcharhiniformes]] | familia = [[Scyliorhinidae]] | genus = ''[[Schroederichthys]]'' | species = '''''S. chilensis''''' | binomial = ''Schroederichthys chilensis'' | binomial_authority = ([[Guichenot]], 1848) }} {{Sharksportal}} The '''redspotted catshark''', ''Schroederichthys chilensis'', also known as the '''Chilean catshark''', is a species of [[catshark]] commonly found in the coastal waters of the southeastern [[Pacific]], from central [[Peru]] to southern [[Chile]]. They are typically found in the rocky [[Sublittoral zone|sublittoral]] areas at the edge of the [[continental shelf]], in waters down to 100 m in depth. They spend the spring, summer, and fall in rocky [[subtidal]] areas, but winter in deeper offshore waters due to the strong currents at this time. ==Physical description== Redspotted catsharks range in length from 30 to 66 cm, although these sizes are taken from captured sharks, and it is believed that they may grow larger than this. Their bodies are elongate and sleek, typical of the catshark family. Their [[Dorsum (biology)|dorsal]] side is a dark reddish brown with dark saddle patterns on their side. Their [[ventral]] sides are a creamy white with reddish spots. Redspotted catsharks have two [[dorsal fin]]s, with the first dorsal [[axil]] over the [[pelvic]] region. Their dorsal fins do not have spines, and their tails have no upward bend. Redspotted catsharks have [[multicuspid]] teeth, however males typically have longer teeth with fewer cusps. This is believed to aid in [[courtship]] biting. ==Behavior== Redspotted catsharks are [[solitary]], [[nocturnal]] creatures. They stay in caves and crevices during the day and emerge at night to feed. They are [[Fish migration|migratory]], however they live most of the year near the edge of the continental shelf. Communication specific to the redspotted catshark is unknown. However, as with most other sharks, including other members of the family [[Scyliorhinidae]], it is believed that they have a well-developed sense of smell, and that they are [[electroreceptive]], which allows them to detect electricity emitted by other animals, and may also allow them to detect [[magnetic fields]], which aids in [[navigation]]. ==Food habits and predation== Redspotted catsharks feed on organisms that dwell on the rocky bottom near the [[continental shelf]]. Their primary food sources are various species of [[crab]]s and rock [[shrimp]]. They have also been known to eat fishes, [[algae|algal material]], and various [[polychaete]]s. Redspotted catsharks are an important [[predator]] within their [[ecosystem]]. They have a large influence on commercially fished [[benthic]] organisms that dwell in the rocky near-shore areas. Redspotted catsharks are host to [[Trypanosome]]s, [[parasites]] that are passed into the catsharks' [[bloodstream]] through [[leech]]es. There are no known predators to the catshark, although juveniles typically spend their early life in the deeper offshore waters. This is believed to be to avoid predators, although what those predators are is unknown. ==Reproduction== Redspotted catsharks are [[oviparous]]. Breeding occurs in individuals in an [[Year|annual]] cycle. However, they mate [[seasonally]], typically in spring and winter, though females have occasionally been shown to have egg capsules in the summer. They are [[polygynandrous]] and while the male fertilizes the female's eggs he typically performs what is called a "courtship ritual" that consists of the male biting the female. Redspotted catsharks are born from [[encapsulated]] eggs that are [[fertilized]] and released into the water. There are typically two eggs in each capsule, which can also be called a [[mermaid's purse]]. [[Embryos]] feed on the [[yolk]] of the egg until they hatch. Once these eggs hatch the sharks appear to be miniature versions of adults, however, the sharks grow rapidly. It is believed that juveniles swim into deeper waters in order to avoid predation in the sublittoral zone that they return to when they are adults. Therefore, there is a spatial segregation between adult and juvenile populations. ==Conservation status and economic impact== Redspotted catsharks are not listed as endangered on the [[IUCN Red List]], the U.S. Federal List, or the [[CITES]] list. They are not known to be a [[Vulnerable species|vulnerable]] or [[threatened]] species. Redspotted catsharks have a negative economic impact on humans. They feed heavily on near shore benthic [[crustacean]]s. This is a detriment to [[commercial fisherman]] because crustaceans in this area have a large economic importance. Catsharks are also a frequent [[bycatch]] of nearshore [[fishing trawlers]], which, while not economically significant, can cause damage to nets as well as time lost in removing the bycatch from the viable catch. ==References== * {{IUCN2006|assessors=Lamilla|year=2004|id=44585|title=Schroederichthys chilensis|downloaded=09 May 2006}} Database entry includes justification for why this species is listed as data deficient * {{ITIS|ID=160085|taxon=Schroederichthys chilensis|year=2006|date=18 April}} * 2004. "Clase Elasmobranchii" (On-line). Accessed October 29, 2004 at http://www.biouls.cl/biozoo/Vertebra/sispez2.htm. * Ackley, V. and W. Fink. 2004. "Schroederichthys chilensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 28, 2006 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Schroederichthys_chilensis.html. * Aedo, G., H. Arancibia. 2001. Gastric evacuation of the redspotted catshark under laboratory conditions. Journal of Fish Biology, 58: 1454-1457. * Budker, P. 1971. The Life of Sharks. New York: Columbia University Press. * Carpenter, K., S. Luna. 2004. "Schroederichthys chilensis Redspotted Catshark" (On-line). Accessed October 29, 2004 at http://filaman.uni-kiel.de/summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?id=839. * Farina, J., F. Ojeda. 1993. Abundance, activity, and trophic patterns of the redspotted catshark, Schroederichthys chilensis, on the Pacific temperate coast of Chile. Copeia, 2: 545-549. * Morillas, J., M. George-Nascimento, H. Valeria, R. Khan. 1987. Trypanosoma humboldti n. sp. from the Chilean Catshark, Schoroederichthys chilensis. Journal of Protozoology, 34/3: 342-344. * Nelson, J. 1984. Fishes of the World. New York: John Wiley and Sons. * Ommanney, F. 1964. The Fishes. New York: Time Incorporated. * Smith, M., P. Heemstra. 1986. Smiths' Sea Fishes. South Africa: L. L. B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology. * Smith, J. 1949. The Sea Fishes of Southern Africa. South Africa: Central News Agency LTD. * {{FishBase species | genus = Schroederichthys | species = chilensis | month = January | year = 2006}} ==External links== * [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Schroederichthys_chilensis.html Animal Diversity Web] * [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php?species=44585 ICUN Red List Classification] [[Category:Scyliorhinidae]]