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ELASMOBRANCHII:
SQUALEA: TRIAKIDAE: Triakis
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Triakis
semifasciata
Girard, 1854
Leopard Shark
Photo & text by Robert Sprackland.
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Range: Many coastal waters of
tropical and temperate areas.
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Diagnosis: A streamlined
species of shark with distinct barbels and broad, chocolate brown
dorsal bands. Barbels are conspicuous near the mouth.
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Description: Body fusiform, with flattened, broad snout. Mouth with conspicuous
barbels. Dorsal fin originates well behind the pectoral insertions.
The supraocular region has a distinct ridge. Spiracles small. Dorsum
with several broad, dark brown bands on a tan background. Dark spots
are on the flanks between bands.
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Reproduction:
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Taxonomy & Relationships:
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Holotype:
USNM 988 (presumed lost), from near Presidio, San Francisco,
California.
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Literature: Click on
book to order a copy.
Compagno,
Leonard. 1984. FAO Species Catalogue, Vol. 4, Part 1. Sharks of
the World. U.N. Development Programme, Rome. ISBN:
92-5-101384-5.
Garman,
Samuel. 1997. The Plagiostomia (sharks, skates and rays).
Benthic Press, L.A. ISBN: 0-9657121-0-9.
Last,
Peter, and J. Stevens. 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia.
CSIRO. ISBN: 0-643-05143-0.
Sprackland,
Robert. 1999. Key to the Sharks and Rays of the World. Young
Forest Company, Belmont, CA. |
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