The Smooth-hound – Mustelus mustelus is a common shark species found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. It is a relatively small shark, reaching a maximum size of 200 cm, and is characterized by its smooth, grey-brown skin. This species is known for its distinctive, elongated body shape and its tendency to inhabit coastal areas.
Description & Characteristics
The Smooth-hound – Mustelus mustelus has a slender, fusiform body with a pointed snout. It is a relatively small shark, typically reaching a maximum length of 200 cm. The Smooth-hound – Mustelus mustelus has a grey-brown color, with darker markings on the dorsal surface. The underside of the body is typically lighter in color. Like other sharks, it possesses five gill slits and two dorsal fins, as well as a pair of pectoral fins, a pair of pelvic fins, an anal fin, and a caudal fin.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Smooth-hound – Mustelus mustelus is a bottom-dwelling shark that prefers sandy and muddy bottoms. It is commonly found in shallow coastal waters, but has also been recorded at depths up to 624 meters. Its distribution is primarily along the eastern Atlantic coast, ranging from Norway in the north to South Africa in the south. It is also found in the Mediterranean Sea, particularly in areas with a rocky substrate. This wide distribution suggests that the Smooth-hound – Mustelus mustelus is well-adapted to a variety of marine environments, including the epipelagic, mesopelagic, and bathypelagic zones.
Taxonomy
The species Smooth-hound – Mustelus mustelus belongs to the Class: Elasmobranchii, Order: Carcharhiniformes, and Family: Triakidae. This classification places it within the group of cartilaginous fishes, which includes sharks, rays, and skates. The family Triakidae, or “smooth-hound sharks,” is characterized by their slender bodies, lack of an anal fin, and typically grey coloration.
Feeding
The Smooth-hound – Mustelus mustelus is a carnivore, with a diet that includes a variety of crustaceans and fish. It is a predatory species that hunts by using its keen sense of smell to locate prey. Common food items include clams, crabs, lobsters, rock lobsters, shrimps, and various small fish. The Smooth-hound – Mustelus mustelus plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of its ecosystem by controlling populations of its prey species.
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