Dalatiidae

Elasmobranch, Its Implications For Global, Parasitology, Diversity And, Naylor, G. J. P., Sc, Caira, J. N., Ct, Jensen, K., Ks, Rosana, K. A. M., Fl, White, W. T., Csiro, Tas, Last, P. R., Csiro & Tas, 2012, A Dna Sequence-Based Approach To The Identification Of Shark And Ray Species And Its Implications For Global Elasmobranch Diversity And Parasitology, Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2012 (367), pp. 1-262 : 65-66

Dalatiidae (kitefin sharks)

Dalatias licha (kitefin shark) ( fig. 47)

The analysis included 17 specimens of this broadly distributed monotypic genus, taken from the eastern North Atlantic (i.e., the Azores and Scotland), the western North Pacific (i.e., Taiwan) and the western South Pacific (i.e., New South Wales, Australia, and New Zealand). However, much of its distribution (e.g., the Indian Ocean elements), was not represented. One of the specimens from Taiwan is deposited at the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology (GN985 5 UMMZ 231958). The analysis yielded essentially a single relatively homogeneous cluster given the breadth of geographic regions from which these specimens came. The range in pairwise differences among specimens in this cluster was 0–5, with an average of 1.9.

Isistius brasiliensis (cookiecutter shark) ( fig. 47)

The analysis included a total of three specimens of this remarkably broadly distributed species. These were collected from the central Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The analysis yielded essentially a single cluster with the specimen from the Pacific Ocean clustering outside the two specimens collected from the Atlantic Ocean. The range in pairwise differences among these three specimens was 4–10, with an average of 8.

Squaliolus aliae (smalleye pygmy shark) ( fig. 47)

The three specimens included in the analysis were collected from Western Aus- tralia and Taiwan and thus are relatively representative of the distribution of this species. The specimen from Western Australia is in the Australian National Fish Collection (GN4955 5 ANFC H 6416-02). The analysis yielded essentially a single cluster comprised of these specimens. However, the specimen from Australia was relatively divergent from the two specimens from Taiwan. The range in pairwise differences among all three specimens was 5– 14, with an average difference of 10 bases.

Euprotomicrus bispinatus (pygmy shark) ( fig. 47)

The analysis included a single specimen of this broadly distributed species collected from the North Pacific. This species clustered among the two species of Squaliolus , most closely allied with S. aliae , suggesting that the generic placement of this, the only species in its genus, might warrant closer scrutiny. The average of the pairwise differences between this specimen and those of S. aliae was 89.3.

Squaliolus laticaudus (spined pygmy shark)

( fig. 47)

The two specimens included in the analysis were collected from the Azores, and thus represent only a very small portion of the distribution of this almost circumtropical species. These specimens clustered together and differed from one another by eight bases. The average of the pairwise differences between specimens of S. laticaudus and those of S. aliae was 140.8 and between E. bispinatus was 187.7.

SQUATINIFORMES (angel sharks) Squatinidae (angel sharks)

Squatina oculata (smoothback angelshark) ( fig. 48)

The 12 specimens included in the analysis were all taken from Senegal and Sierra Leone and thus represent the center of the distribution of this species, which extends coastally from France to Namibia. The analysis yielded a single cluster ; all 12 specimens were identical in sequence.

Squatina formosa ( Taiwan angelshark) ( fig. 48)

The analysis included three specimens of this species which is possibly endemic to Taiwan. These specimens comprised a single cluster with a pairwise difference among specimens of 0–1. However, this genus includes several similar species from Taiwan not included in the analysis (e.g., S. japonica and S. nebulosus ) (see Walsh and Ebert, 2007). The identity of this cluster requires confirmation in the context of these other taxa.

Squatina tergocellatoides (ocellated angelshark)

( fig. 48)

The analysis included two specimens collected from Malaysian Borneo that represent the distinctive S. tergocellatoides . These specimens were identical in sequence to one another and clustered most closely with the specimens of S. formosa . The average of the pairwise differences between this species and S. formosa from Taiwan was 88.3.

Squatina aculeata (sawback angelshark) ( fig. 48)

The 11 specimens of this species included in the analysis were all collected from Senegal and thus represent the center of the distribution of this species, which extends coastally from the western Mediterranean to Namibia. The analysis yielded a single cluster. The range in pairwise differences seen among specimens was 0–3, however, the majority of these specimens were identical in sequence. The average of the pairwise differences among the 11 specimens was 0.7.

Squatina dumeril (sand devil) ( fig. 48)

The analysis included eight specimens representing the more northern elements of the distribution of this species including New Jersey and the northern Gulf of Mexico. The analysis yielded a single cluster, with pairwise differences seen among these specimens of 0– 12, with an average of 5.6.

Squatina californica (Pacific angelshark) ( fig. 48)

The seven specimens included were collected from California and the Gulf of California and thus represent much of the distribution of this species. The range in pairwise differences among specimens was 0– 6, with an average of pairwise differences of 3.8. This species clustered most closely with S. dumeril , a result consistent with the findings of Stelbrink et al. (2010). The average of the pairwise differences among specimens of these two species was 46.

Squatina albipunctata (eastern angelshark) ( fig. 48)

A single specimen of this newly described eastern Australian endemic species (see Last and White, 2008b) was included in the analysis. It clustered most closely with S. dumeril and S. californica . The mean of the pairwise differences between this specimen and those of the former species was 112.5, and between this specimen and those of the latter species 109.1.