The Blackmouth Catshark, scientifically known as Galeus melastomus, is a small shark belonging to the family Pentanchidae. It is a common and widespread species found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Description & Characteristics
The Blackmouth Catshark is a slender shark with a distinctive black mouth and dark eyes. It has a pointed snout and a long, thin body, with a maximum size of 75.0 cm. Its body is covered in small, rough scales.
Habitat and Occurrence
Galeus melastomus is a deep-water shark, typically found at depths ranging from 55.0 to 1873.0 meters. It prefers to inhabit the bathyal zone, the dimly lit middle zone of the ocean, extending from the edge of the continental shelf to the abyssal zone. The Blackmouth Catshark can be encountered in various marine ecosystems, including the continental slope and deep-sea canyons.
Taxonomy
The Blackmouth Catshark, Galeus melastomus, is classified within the Class: Elasmobranchii, Order: Carcharhiniformes, and Family: Pentanchidae. This family is known for its members’ generally slender bodies, with five gill slits, and two dorsal fins with no spine.
Feeding
The Blackmouth Catshark is a carnivore, feeding primarily on a diet of crustaceans and cephalopods, including Sepia.
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