Not just a
huge collection of
Shark
Pictures:
Elasmodiver.com contains images of sharks, skates, rays, and a few
chimaera's from around the world. Elasmodiver began as a simple web
based
shark
field guide
to help divers find the best places to encounter the different
species of sharks and rays that live in shallow water but it has
slowly evolved into a much larger project containing information on
all aspects of shark diving and shark photography.
There are
now more than 10,000 shark pictures and sections on shark
evolution, biology, and conservation. There is a large library of
reviewed shark books, a constantly updated 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:
Common
Names: Whitespotted Bamboo
Shark or Bambooshark
Latin
Name:
Chiloscyllium plagiosum
Family:
Hemiscyllidae
Identification:
Elongated grey/brown body with 8 or 9 irregular dark saddles. Small light spots
on flanks. Anal fin set far back on long thick
tail. Slight scalloping or lateral ridges on trunk. Snout bluntly rounded. Short
barbells extend from mouth. Spiracle same size as, and positioned below and
slightly behind eye.
Size:
Maximum length 95cm. 9-12cm at birth.
Habitat: Shallow
coral
reefs - a secretive reef dweller.
Abundance
and distribution: Indo Pacific. Madagascar, India, and South East Asia
as far south as Java. East to the Philippines and Japan.
Behavior:Nocturnal. Hides
by day in
crevices. Hunts
for bony fishes and crustaceans.
Reproduction:
Oviparous.
Conservation Status:
Considered 'Near Threatened' by the IUCN. The majority of its distribution is
under substantial and generally unregulated fishing pressure, and this bamboo
shark is landed and utilised for human consumption in nearly all countries
within its range. It is also prized for the aquarium trade as it survives well
for long periods in captivity. Furthermore, pressure on coral reef systems is
high over much of its range, with the amount of available habitat for this and
similar species being reduced due to extensive degradation/destruction of coral
reefs through practices such as dynamite fishing and pollution from terrestrial
runoff. Given human population increases, habitat degradation and continued,
increasing exploitation of marine resources in the region, the conservation
status of this coral reef species is of concern, warranting a Near Threatened
assessment. Lack of detailed catch and aquarium trade data precludes a higher
threat listing at this time, but the species should be carefully monitored
throughout its range, particularly as the threats described are likely to
continue to increase.
Citation: Kyne,
P.M. & Burgess, G.H. 2006. Chiloscyllium plagiosum. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List
of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>
Photographs:
Gato Island, Philippines.
Similar species:
The whitespotted bamboo shark shares its range with a number of other bamboo
sharks all of which are easily recognizable by their patterns.
Reaction to divers:
May be approached with non-threatening movements but generally very shy and wary
of divers. When discovered under ledges, the whitespotted bamboo shark usually
tries to wedge itself deeper. If no better cover is available, it will bolt for
another hiding place.
Diving
logistics: The whitespotted bamboo shark is a common but
rarely seen shark inhabiting many popular dive sites in Southeast Asia. Near
Malapascua in the Philippines it can be found under ledges around Gato Island.