Elasmobranch ID game
- Thread starter serafino
- Start date
Ok Brenden, figured I would post here instead of our IM window so that it might contribute to the thread. Sooo, forget about the specific coloration in this particular animal (as anyone who works with sharks - especially ones which have intricate markings, knows that two animals can look totally different than one another). What we "People" go off of is physical identifiers that are present in the general species (which is what makes them a separate species). Looking at your recent post, here is what I can put forth, and ignore my scientist talk here, just thinking out loud here for a sec....
- Snout is long and nasal cavities appear to be subterminal
- General markings indicate a frequency of spots, indistinct bars and muted saddles within the species (great potential for variation)
- Pronounced dermal ridge running full length
- Two lateral ridges opposite dermal ridge, present from spiracles through caudal tail.
- Barbels appear to be either lacking or completely ventral and retracted
I don't have time to write more right now, have to leave again, but from what i can tell so far, my educated guess would steer me towards Chiloscyllium indicum - Slender Bamboo, or a very close relative. Generally the markings are not as muddled as this one's but that really means nothing when you get down to it. I will check back later. Really wish you had a FULL body shot so that I could see the tail. For now though, that's my guess.
- Snout is long and nasal cavities appear to be subterminal
- General markings indicate a frequency of spots, indistinct bars and muted saddles within the species (great potential for variation)
- Pronounced dermal ridge running full length
- Two lateral ridges opposite dermal ridge, present from spiracles through caudal tail.
- Barbels appear to be either lacking or completely ventral and retracted
I don't have time to write more right now, have to leave again, but from what i can tell so far, my educated guess would steer me towards Chiloscyllium indicum - Slender Bamboo, or a very close relative. Generally the markings are not as muddled as this one's but that really means nothing when you get down to it. I will check back later. Really wish you had a FULL body shot so that I could see the tail. For now though, that's my guess.
@Wb-Yup I'm thinking that too now that you say it.Which picture can you see the caudal WB? The barbels? I didn't see a pic where you could absolutely determine if they were present or lacking. Maybe they are on another page that I stupidly skipped over and didn't see. You can't see the bottom or side view of the shark all the pics are from the top. I don't want to be rude but I think you assumed a couple of characteristics that you did not have direct evidence for. After all though you know it much better than I do.
I do agree though and think its Chiloscyllium indicum as zoodiver guessed that first. It has a pronounced dermal ridge on the middle of its back and two lower on its side. Plus as you said the nostrils are subterminal and has a fairly long snout.I can't find any decent information on Halaelurus boesemani but just from a small pic I would also guess that too. Would have been nice to see the whole shark in one photo. I can't see its caudal fin at all.
I do agree though and think its Chiloscyllium indicum as zoodiver guessed that first. It has a pronounced dermal ridge on the middle of its back and two lower on its side. Plus as you said the nostrils are subterminal and has a fairly long snout.I can't find any decent information on Halaelurus boesemani but just from a small pic I would also guess that too. Would have been nice to see the whole shark in one photo. I can't see its caudal fin at all.
serafino;1868972; said:
What I said is marked in red. I am aware of the angles, which is why identifying physical characteristics was limited to an educated guess.
Oh and that last one Dark Spotted Catshark (Asymbolus analis)
Ok so I just re-read my post and wanted to clarify something for you Serafino - I was lazy in my terminology towards the end because I was already running late to where I was supposed to be. When I stated I wanted a full shot of the tail, more specifically I was meaning the fin. Just and fyi for you, there is a difference between the caudal tail and the caudal fin. My bad for getting you confused because I used a general reference of "Tail" when I should have said "Fin". So if that it what confused you - picture wise, then sorry. 
