Humpback smooth-hound | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Chondrichthyes |
Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
Subdivision: | Selachimorpha |
Order: | Carcharhiniformes |
Family: | Triakidae |
Genus: | Mustelus |
Species: | M. whitneyi
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Binomial name | |
Mustelus whitneyi Chirichigno F., 1973
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The humpback smooth-hound (Mustelus whitneyi) is a species of houndshark and a part of the family Triakidae[2].The most noticeable difference between Mustelus whitneyi and its relatives, is the slight curvature, causing a "humpback" appearance located in front of its primary dorsal fin. It is found on the continental shelves of the tropical southeast Pacific, from Peru to southern Chile, between latitudes 3° S and 54° S. These sharks are demersal feeders but range from depths between 15 and 210 metres (50 and 690 ft). Humpback smooth-hound sharks are small sharks, reaching a maximum size of 118cm in total length.[3] Mustelus whitneyi typically feed on teleosts and invertebrates in the benthic and pelagic ecosystems, most important prey being the peruvian anchovy.[4] These humpback smooth-hound sharks are placental viviparious sharks, meaning that the embryo forms inside the mother tethered by the placental cord.[5] The threats currently causing population decline to humpback smooth-hound sharks surround issues with local fisheries and management.