Common names
Alitán mallero, Roussette maille, Chain cat shark, Chain catshark, Chain dogfish

Short Description
Diagnosis after Compagno, 1984 [517]: Field Marks: The bold chain colour pattern of black lines is unique to this shark and Cephaloscyllium fasciatum; but the latter species has no labial furrows and more anteriorly situated dorsal fins. Diagnostic Features: Head and body relatively deep, slender and narrow; greatest width of head about 2/3 of head length; no nasoral grooves; anterior nasal flaps not expanded and falling somewhat anterior to mouth. First dorsal origin somewhat behind pelvic insertions; second dorsal origin somewhat anterior to anal insertion; interdorsal space considerably greater than anal base. Denticles small and flat, surface of skin relatively smooth. Colour pattern of bold black lines, outlining obscure dusky saddles and sometimes extending over lateral surfaces and back as a reticular network; no light or dark spots. Size moderate, adults below 50 cm.

Distribution
Gulf of Mexico, from off Campeche, Mexico (95ºW) to Florida (83ºW), to the northeast coast of United States, from Georgia (30ºN) to Connecticut (41ºN) [27296] Source: www.gbif.org

Human uses
fisheries: of no interest

Biology
Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk [733]. During courtship and prior to copulation, the male bites and wraps female pectoral fin body, tail and gills (Ref. 49562, 51128).

Size / Weight / Age
590 mm TL(max) [27296]

Habitat
demersal; marine; depth range 36 - 750 m [17659]

Dentition
Monognathic heterodonty gradual well developed; anterior teeth abruptly larger than the parasymphysial ones and lateral teeth smaller distally, with smaller and thicker principal cusps (Fig. 66). Sexual heterodonty well pronounced, with females presenting anterior teeth with lower principal cusp and well-developed cusplets in relation to males. Tooth counts 18–26 18–28/17–25 1 16–24 (20–21/19–1–20). Parasymphysial teeth with a principal cusp flanked by one cusplet on each side; cusplets half the height and the width of the principal cusp. Protuberances on medial portion of the crown base and striae restricted to the crown base. Anterior teeth larger than the parasymphysial and principal cusp less stout. Anterior teeth with four cusplets; marginal cusplets corresponding to half the height of proximal cusplets in males and 2/3 in females. Proximal cusplets corresponding to less than half the height and the width of the principal cusp in both sexes. Protuberances on the crown base; striae restricted to the crown base in males and extending through more than half the height of the principal cusp in females. Lateral teeth with four cusplets; marginal cusplets 2/3 the height of proximal cusplets. Protuberances on the crown base; striae more prominent and running from base toward the apex of principal cusp in females, and poorly developed and reduced in males. Commissural teeth with two cusplets; principal cusp stronger and laterally situated. Cusplets corresponding to 2/3 the width and the height of the principal cusp. Protuberances present and striae extending to half the height of the principal cusp. Ectodermal pits present in lateral and commissural teeth, restricted to the crown base. [27296]

Remarks
shark-references Species-ID=6345;