Epaulette Shark [Hemiscyllium ocellatum]
Description
The Epaulette Shark is a species of longtailed carpet shark, family Hemiscylliidae, found in shallow, tropical waters off Australia and New Guinea. The common name of this shark comes from the very large, white-margined black spot behind each pectoral fin, which are reminiscent of military epaulettes. A small species usually under 1 m (3.3 ft) long, the Epaulette Shark has a slender body with a short head and broad, paddle-shaped paired fins. This shark has the ability to survive low oxygen conditions and walk on its pectoral fins to move between rock pools or across coral reefs.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Cartilaginous Fish
Chondrichthyes
|
| Order |
Carpet Sharks
Orectolobiformes
|
| Family |
Hemiscylliidae
Hemiscylliidae
|
| Genus |
Epaulette Sharks
Hemiscyllium
|