Not just Shark
Pictures: Elasmodiver contains photos of sharks, skates, rays, and
chimaera's from around the world. It began as a simple web based
field guide to help divers find the best places to encounter
different species of sharks and rays but it has slowly evolved into
a much larger project containing information on all aspects of shark
diving and photography. There are now more than a thousand shark
pictures and sections on shark evolution, biology, and
conservation. There is a large library of reviewed shark books, a
constantly outdated shark taxonomy page, a monster list of shark
links, and deeper in the site there are numerous articles and
stories about shark encounters. Elasmodiver is now so difficult to
check for updates, that new information and pictures are listed on
an Elasmodiver Updates Page that can be accessed here:
If you're looking for a
broader range of marine life pictures the following links represent
a new area that contains pictures on other marine organisms and on
marine habitats. This expansion of Elasmodiver is in its first
stages but will eventually include pages on everything from sea
stars to nudibranchs. Creating this portal will take time and for
now it consists of a token offering of fish pictures. Please return
regularly to enjoy the progress.
Long slender body. Dorsum plain grey/brown. Ventrum pale/white. First dorsal large and
rounded. Fins have a pale to white
trailing margin probably fading towards adulthood. Caudal fin deeply notched.
Flat, plate like teeth. Interdorsal ridge present. Iris golden. Pupil large and
rounded.
Upper labial furrows much longer than lower. Pavement of high
crowned teeth.
Size:
Maximum recorded size 140cm. Size at birth 39 - 43cm.
Habitat:
Continental shelf from 36m to 229 m. Mostly between 42 and 91 meters.
Abundance
and distribution:
Restricted to the Gulf of Mexico. Mostly along the northern rim of the
continental shelf. The northern population may extend down the western edge of
the gulf and link up with a second smaller group located in the southern gulf
west of the Yucatan.
Diet:
Diet consists of
crustaceans, molluscs and small fishes - menhaden among others.
Behavior:
Unknown.
Reproduction:
Viviparous
with yolk sac placenta.
Recorded litter size 8.
IUCN Red List Status:
Not evaluated. It's limited range probably makes it susceptible to over fishing.
Photographs:
Gulf of Mexico under an oil rig.
Similar species:
Sympatric species include the Florida smoothhound M.norrisi
(described as having upper labial furrows shorter than lower). M.norissi may be
synonymous with M.canis (also sympatric) which has upper labial furrows
longer than lower but to a lesser degree than M.sinusmexicanus.
Reaction to divers:
Not known but probably shy like other smoothhounds due to small size.
Diving
logistics:
Although this species of smoothhound shark can be found within recreational
limits, encounters with divers have not been recorded. It may be possible to
encounter the Gulf smoothhound while diving under some of the deeper rigs that
are sprinkled along the continental shelf in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Reports of sightings/encounters would be welcome.
