Són esquals petits i de cos allargassat: la majoria d'espècies fan entre 60 i 70 cm de longitud però la més grossa (Apristurus gibbosus) assoleix els 4 m.[7] Tot i això la llargària màxima de les espèciesmediterrànies és sempre inferior a 1 m.
Els ulls són grossos amb una petita membrana nictitant.
Les aletes dorsals es troben per darrere de les pèlviques, són subiguals i estan situades molt enrere. L'origen de la primera dorsal és clarament posterior a l'origen de les ventrals.
L'anal és grossa.
La caudal no es troba ben desenvolupada, és subhoritzontal i amb el lòbul inferior escarransit
Els espiracles són ben visibles.
Tenen cinc obertures branquials de les quals la cinquena, i de vegades també la quarta, estan situades sobre la base de les aletes pectorals.
Les dents són pluricuspidades, amb la cúspide principal aguda, menudes i nombroses, molt poc diferents de les de les dues mandíbules.[8][9][10]
↑Bleckmann, H., M. Hofmann: "Special Senses", planes 300-328 a W.C. Hamlett, ed. Sharks, Skates, and Rays. Baltimore, Maryland, Estats Units: The Johns Hopkins University Press. Any 1999.
↑Heithaus, M.: "Predator-Prey Interactions". Planes 487-522 a J.C. Carrier, J.A. Musick, M.R. Heithaus, eds. Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives. Boca Raton, Florida, Estats Units: CRC Press. Any 2004.
↑Musick, J., M. Harbin, L. Compagno: "Historical Zoogeography of the Selachii". Planes 33-78 a J.C. Carrier, J.A. Musick, M.R. Heithaus, eds. Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives. Boca Raton, Florida, Estats Units: CRC Press. Any 2004.
↑Duran, Miquel: Noms i descripcions dels peixos de la Mar Catalana. Pàg. 102.
↑Garman S., 1913. The Plagiostomia (sharks, skates, and rays). Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. v. 36. i-xiii + 1-515. Also Atlas: 77 pls.
↑ 16,016,116,2Meng, Q.-W., Y.-D. Chu & S. Li. 1985. Description of four new species of Scyliorhinidae from depths of the south China Sea. Oceanol. Limnol. Sin. v. 16 (núm. 1): 43-50.
↑Sasahara, R., Sato, K. & Nakaya, K. 2008. A new species of deepwater catshark, Apristurus ampliceps sp. nov. (Chondrichthyes: Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae), from New Zealand and Australia. Pp. 93-104. A Last, P.R., White, W.T. & Pogonoski, J.J. (editors): Descriptions of New Australian Chondrichthyans. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper núm. 22.
↑Nakaya, K. & M. Stehmann. 1998. A new species of deep-water catshark, Apristurus aphyodes n. sp., from the eastern North Atlantic (Chondrichthyes: Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae). Arch. Fish. Mar. Research v. 46 (núm. 1): 77-90.
↑
Sato, K., Nakaya, K. & Yorozu, M. 2008. Apristurus australis sp. nov., a new long-snout catshark (Chondrichthyes: Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from Australia. Pp. 113-121. A Last, P.R., White, W.T. & Pogonoski, J.J. (editors): Descriptions of New Australian Chondrichthyans. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper núm. 22.
↑ 21,021,1Gilbert, C. H. 1892. Descriptions of thirty-four new species of fishes collected in 1888 and 1889, principally among the Santa Barbara Islands and in the Gulf of California. A Scientific results of explorations by the U. S. Fish Commission steamer Albatross. Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus. v. 14 (núm. 880): 539-566.
↑White, W.T., Last, P.R. & Pogonoski, J.J. 2008. Apristurus bucephalus sp. nov., a new deepwater catshark (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from southwestern Australia. Pp. 105-111. A Last, P.R., White, W.T. & Pogonoski, J.J. (editors): Descriptions of New Australian Chondrichthyans. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper núm. 22.
↑ 23,023,123,2Springer, S. 1979. A revision of the catsharks, family Scyliorhinidae. NOAA Tech. Rep. NMFS Circ. Núm. 422: 1-152.
↑Sato, K., K. Nakaya & A. L. Stewart. 1999. A new species of the deep-water catshark genus Apristurus from New Zealand waters (Chondrichthyes: Scyliorhinidae). J. R. Soc. N. Z. v. 29 (núm. 4): 325-335.
↑Dolganov, V. N. 1983. Manual for identification of cartilaginous fishes of Far East seas of USSR and adjacent waters). TINRO, Vladivostok. Manual Cartilag. Fish. Far East seas.: 92 pp.
↑ 26,026,126,2Fowler, H. W. 1934. Descriptions of new fishes obtained 1907 to 1910, chiefly in the Philippine Islands and adjacent seas. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. v. 85 (for 1933): 233-367.
↑Brauer, A. 1906. Die Tiefsee-Fische. I. Systematischer Teil. A C. Chun. Wissenschaftl. Ergebnisse der deutschen Tiefsee-Expedition "Valdivia," 1898-99. Jena. Tiefsee-Fische v. 15: 1-432, Pls. 1-18.
↑Deng, S.-M., G.-Q. Xiong & H.-X. Zhan. 1988. The deep water fishes of the east China Sea. Xue Lin Publishing house. Deepwater Fishes E. China Sea: 356 pp.
↑Misra, K. S. 1962. A new scyliorhinid fish from the collections of the R.I.M.S. Investigator. Proc. First All-India Congr. Zool. 1959: 636-638, Pl. 1.
↑ 30,030,1Nakaya, K. 1975. Taxonomy, comparative anatomy and phylogeny of Japanese catsharks, Scyliorhinidae. Mem. Fac. Fish. Hokkaido Univ. v. 23 (núm. 1): 1-94.
↑Taylor, L. R., Jr. 1972. Apristurus kampae, a new species of scyliorhinid shark from the eastern Pacific Ocean. Copeia 1972 (núm. 1): 71-78.
↑Saemundsson, B. 1922. Zoologiske Meddelelser fra Island. XIV. Fiske, ny for Island, of supplerende Oplysninger om andre, tidligere kendte. Vidensk. Medd. Dansk Naturh. Foren. Kjøbenhavn v. 74: 159-201, Pls. 3-5.
↑ 33,033,1Tanaka, S. 1909. Descriptions of one new genus and ten new species of Japanese fishes. J. Coll. Sci. Imp. Univ. Tokyo v. 27 (art. 8): 1-27, Pl. 1.
↑Springer, S. 1979. A revision of the catsharks, family Scyliorhinidae. NOAA Tech. Rep. NMFS Circ. Núm. 422: 1-152.
↑Gilchrist, J. D. F. 1922. Deep-sea fishes procured by the S.S. "Pickle" (Part I). Rep. Fish. Mar. Biol. Surv. Union So. Afr. Rep. 2 (art. 3): 41-79, Pls. 7-12.
↑Chu, Y.-T., Q.-W. Meng & S. Li. 1986. Description of four new species of the genus Apristurus (Scyliorhinidae) from deep waters of the South China Sea. Oceanol. Limnol. Sin. v. 17 (núm. 4): 269-275.
↑de Buen, F. 1959. Notas preliminares sobre la fauna marina preabismal de Chile, con descripción de una familia de rayas, dos géneros y siete especies nuevos. Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. Santiago v. 27 (núm. 3): 171-201.
↑Deng, S.-M., G.-Q. Xiong & H.-X. Zhan. 1983. Description of three new species of elasmobranchiate fishes from deep waters of the east China Sea. Oceanol. Limnol. Sin. v. 14 (núm. 1): 64-70.
↑ 40,040,1Goode, G. B. & T. H. Bean. 1896. Oceanic ichthyology, a treatise on the deep-sea and pelagic fishes of the world, based chiefly upon the collections made by the steamers Blake, Albatross, and Fish Hawk in the northwestern Atlantic, with an atlas containing 417 figures. Spec. Bull. U. S. Natl. Museum Núm. 2: Text: i-xxxv + 1-26 + 1-553, Atlas: i-xxiii, 1-26, 123 pls.
↑Bigelow, H. B. & W. C. Schroeder. 1944. New sharks from the western North Atlantic. Proc. New England Zool. Club v. 23: 21-36, Pls. 7-10.
↑Weber, M. 1913. Die Fische der Siboga-Expedition. E. J. Brill, Leiden. Fische Siboga Exped.: i-xii + 1-710, Pls. 1-12.
↑Chu, Y.-T., Q.-W Meng, A.-S. Hu & S. Li. 1981. Description of four new species, a new genus and a new family of elasmobranchiate fishes from deep sea of the South China Sea. Oceanol. Limnol. Sin. v. 12 (núm. 2): 103-116.
↑Gilbert, C. H. 1905. II. The deep-sea fishes of the Hawaiian Islands. A The aquatic resources of the Hawaiian Islands. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm. v. 23 (pt 2) [for 1903]: 577-713, Pls. 66-101.
↑Whitley G. P. 1939. Taxonomic notes on sharks and rays. Aust. Zool. v. 9 (pt 3). 227-262. Pls. 20-22.
↑Ogilby, J. D. 1885. Notes and descriptions of some rare Port Jackson fishes. Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. W. v. 10 (pt 2): 119-123, 225-232, 445-447.
↑ 48,048,1Compagno, L. J. V., J. D. Stevens & P. R. Last. 1999. Australian spotted catsharks of the genus Asymbolus (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae). Part 1: Descriptions of three new species from Western Australia, pp. 2-18. A Last, P. R. (ed.) Australian catsharks of the genus Asymbolus (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae). CSIRO Mar. Lab. Rep. Núm. 239: 1-35.
↑ 50,050,150,2Last, P. R., M. F. Gomon & D. C. Gledhill. 1999. Australian spotted catsharks of the genus Asymbolus (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae). Part 2: descriptions of three new, dark-spotted species, pp. 19-35. A Last, P. R. (ed.) Australian catsharks of the genus Asymbolus (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae). CSIRO Mar. Lab. Rep. Núm. 239: 1-35.
↑Compagno, L. J. V., J. D. Stevens & P. R. Last. 1999. Australian spotted catsharks of the genus Asymbolus (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae). Part 1: Descriptions of three new species from Western Australia, pp. 2-18. A Last, P. R. (ed.) Australian catsharks of the genus Asymbolus (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae). CSIRO Mar. Lab. Rep. Núm. 239: 1-35.
↑Zietz, A. H. C. 1908. Description of a hitherto undescribed species of shark from Investigator Strait. Trans. R. Soc. S. Aust. v. 32: 287.
↑Garman S., 1913. The Plagiostomia (sharks, skates, and rays). Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. v. 36. i-xiii + 1-515. Also Atlas: 77 pls.
↑White, W. T., Last, P. R. & Dharmadi 2005. Description of a new species of catshark, Atelomycterus baliensis (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from eastern Indonesia. Cybium, 29 (1): 33-40.
↑Whitley, G. P. 1939. Taxonomic notes on sharks and rays. Aust. Zool. v. 9 (pt 3): 227-262, Pls. 20-22.
↑Bennett, E. T. 1830. Class Pisces. Pp. 686-694. A Memoir of the Life and Public Services of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles.... By his Widow (Lady Stamford Raffles). Memoir Life Raffles: 701 pp.
↑Jacobsen, I.P. & Bennett, M.B. 2007. Description of a new species of catshark, Atelomycterus marnkalha n. sp. (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from north-east Australia. Zootaxa, 1520: 19-36.
↑Waite, E. R. 1905. Notes on fishes from Western Australia.--Núm. 3. Rec. Aust. Mus. v. 6 (núm. 2): 55-82, Pls. 8-17.
↑Compagno, L. J. V. 1988. Sharks of the order Carcharhiniformes. Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton, N. J. Sharks Order Carcharhiniformes: i-xxii + 1-486 + separate figs., Pls. 1-35.
↑Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 2008. Bythaelurus incanus sp. nov., a new deepwater catshark (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from northwestern Australia. Pp. 123-127 a Last, P.R., White, W.T. & Pogonoski, J.J. (editors): Descriptions of New Australian Chondrichthyans. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper núm. 22.
↑Gill T. N. 1862. Analytical synopsis of the order of Squali; and revision of the nomenclature of the genera. Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. N. Y. v. 7. 367*-370*, 371-408.
↑Last, P.R., Motomura, H. & White, W.T. 2008. Cephaloscyllium albipinnum sp. nov., a new swellshark (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from southeastern Australia. Pp. 147-157. A Last, P.R., White, W.T. & Pogonoski, J.J. (editors): Descriptions of New Australian Chondrichthyans. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper núm. 22.
↑ 65,065,165,2Last, P.R., Séret, B. & White, W.T. 2008. New swellsharks (Cephaloscyllium: Scyliorhinidae) from the Indo–Australian region. Pp. 129-146 a Last, P.R., White, W.T. & Pogonoski, J.J. (editors): Descriptions of New Australian Chondrichthyans. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper núm. 22.
↑Chan, W. L. 1966. New sharks from the South China Sea. J. Zool. (Lond.) v. 148: 218-237, Pls. 1-3.
↑White, W.T. & Ebert, D.A. 2008. Cephaloscyllium hiscosellum sp. nov., a new swellshark (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from northwestern Australia. Pp. 171-178 a Last, P.R., White, W.T. & Pogonoski, J.J. (editors): Descriptions of New Australian Chondrichthyans. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper núm. 22.
↑ 68,068,1Schaaf-Da Silva, J.A. & Ebert, D.A. 2008. A revision of the western North Pacific swellsharks, genus Cephaloscyllium Gill 1862Chondrichthyes: Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae), including descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa, 1872: 1-28.
↑Last, P.R., Séret, B. & White, W.T. 2008. New swellsharks (Cephaloscyllium: Scyliorhinidae) from the Indo–Australian region. Pp. 129-146 a Last, P.R., White, W.T. & Pogonoski, J.J. (editors): Descriptions of New Australian Chondrichthyans. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper núm. 22.
↑ 71,071,1Last, P.R. & White, W.T. 2008. Two new saddled swellsharks (Cephaloscyllium: Scyliorhinidae) from eastern Australia. Pp. 159-170 a Last, P.R., White, W.T. & Pogonoski, J.J. (editors): Descriptions of New Australian Chondrichthyans. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper núm. 22.
↑Garman, S., 1880. New species of selachians in the museum collection. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology v. 6 (núm. 11): 167-172.
↑Bigelow H. B. & Schroeder W. C. 1941. Cephalurus, a new genus of scyliorhinid shark with redescription of the genotype, Catulus cephalus Gilbert. Copeia 1941 (núm. 2). 73-76.
↑Rafinesque C. S. 1810. Caratteri di alcuni nuovi generi e nuove specie di animali e piante della sicilia, con varie osservazioni sopra i medisimi. (Part 1 involves fishes, pp. [i-iv] 3-69 (70 blank), Part 2 with slightly different title, pp. ia-iva + 71-105 (106 blank)).
↑Vaillant, L. L. 1888. Expéditions scientifiques du "Travailleur" et du "Talisman" pendant les années 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883. Poissons. Paris. Exped. Travailleur et Talisman: 1-406, Pls. 1-28.
↑Rafinesque, C. S. 1810. Caratteri di alcuni nuovi generi e nuove specie di animali e piante della sicilia, con varie osservazioni sopra i medisimi. (Part 1 involves fishes, pp. (i-iv) 3-69 (70 blank), Part 2 with slightly different title, pp. ia-iva + 71-105 (106 blank)). Caratteri. Pls. 1-20.
↑Collett, R. 1904. Diagnoses of four hitherto undescribed fishes from the depths south of the Faroe Islands. Forhandlinger i Videnskabs-selskabet i Christiania (for 1904) Núm. 9: 1-7.
↑Séret, B. & Last, P.R. 2008. Galeus priapus sp. nov., a new species of sawtail catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from New Caledonia. Zootaxa, 1813: 19–28.
↑Gill T. N. 1862. Analytical synopsis of the order of Squali; and revision of the nomenclature of the genera. Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. N. Y. v. 7. 367-370, 371-408.
↑Garman S., 1913. The Plagiostomia (sharks, skates, and rays). Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. v. 36. i-xiii + 1-515.
↑Schinz, H. R. 1822. Das Thierreich eingetheilt nach dem Bau der Thiere als Grundlage ihrer Naturgeschichte und der vergleichenden Anatomie. Mit vielen Zusätzenversehen von H. R. Schinz. Cotta, Stuttgart & Tübingen. Das Thierreich v. 2: i-xvi + 1-835.
↑Fowler H. W. 1934. Descriptions of new fishes obtained 1907 to 1910, chiefly in the Philippine Islands and adjacent seas. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. v. 85 (for 1933). 233-367.
↑Garman S., 1906. New Plagiostomia. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. v. 46 (núm. 11). 203-208.
↑ 89,089,189,289,3Seret, B. & Last, P.R. 2007. Four new species of deep-water catsharks of the genus Parmaturus (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from New Caledonia, Indonesia and Australia. Zootaxa, 1657: 23-39.
↑Smith H. M. 1912. Description of a new notidanoid shark from the Philippine Islands representing a new family. (Scientific results of the Philippine cruise of the Fisheries steamer "Albatross," 1907-10.--No. 14). Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus. v. 41 (núm. 1872). 489-491.
↑Smith A. 1838. (On the necessity for a revision of the groups included in the Linnaean genus Squalus). Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1837 (pt 5). 85-86.
↑Gmelin, J. F. 1789. Caroli a Linné ... Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species; cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Editio decimo tertia, aucta, reformata. 3 vols. in 9 parts. Lipsiae, 1788-93. Caroli a Linné ... Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species; ... v. 1 (pt 3): 1033-1516.
↑Müller, J. & Henle, F. G. J. 1838-1841. Systematische Beschreibung der Plagiostomen. Berlín. Systematische Beschreibung der Plagiostomen.: i-xxii + 1-200, 60 pls.
↑Springer S. 1966. A review of western Atlantic cat sharks, Scyliorhinidae, with descriptions of a new genus and five new species. U. S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Fish. Bull. v. 65 (núm. 3). 581-624.
↑Müller, J. & F. G. J. Henle. 1838-1841. Systematische Beschreibung der Plagiostomen. Berlín. Plagiostomen: i-xxii + 1-200, 60 pls.
↑Guichenot, A. 1848. Fauna Chilena. Peces. Pp. 137-370. A C. Gay, Historia física y política de Chile. Zoología, v. 2. París i Santiago de Xile. Fauna Chilena, Peces.
↑ 97,097,197,297,3Springer, S. 1966. A review of western Atlantic cat sharks, Scyliorhinidae, with descriptions of a new genus and five new species. U. S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Fish. Bull. v. 65 (núm. 3): 581-624.
↑Soto, J. M. R. 2001. Schroederichthys saurisqualus sp. nov. (Carcharhiniformes, Scyliorhinidae), a new species of catshark from southern Brazil, with further data on Schroederichthys species. Mare Magnum v. 1 (núm. 1): 37-50.
↑Blainville H. de 1816. Prodrome d'une nouvelle distribution systématique du règne animal. Bull. Soc. Philomath. Paris v. 8. 105-112 (sic for 113-120) +121-124.
↑Springer, S. & V. Sadowsky. 1970. Subspecies of the western Atlantic cat shark, Scyliorhinus retifer. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. v. 83 (núm. 7): 83-98.
↑ 101,0101,1Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema Naturae, Ed. X. (Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata.) Holmiae. Systema Nat. ed. 10 v. 1: i-ii + 1-824.
↑Müller, J. & F. G. J. Henle. 1838-1841. Systematische Beschreibung der Plagiostomen. Berlin. Plagiostomen: i-xxii + 1-200, 60 pls.
↑Maurin, C. & M. Bonnet. 1970. Poissons des côtes nord-ouest africaines (Campagnes de la 'Thalassia', 1962 et 1968). Rev. Trav. Inst. Peches Marit., Nantes v. 34 (núm. 2): 125-170.
↑Compagno, L. J. V. 1988. Scyliorhinus comoroensis sp. n., a new catshark from the Comoro Islands, western Indian Ocean (Carcharhiniformes, Scyliorhinidae). Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. Ser. 4, Sect. A v. 10 (núm. 3): 603-625.
↑Miranda Ribeiro, A. de. 1907. Fauna Braziliense. Peixes. II. Desmobranchios. Arq. Mus. Nac. Rio de Janeiro v. 14: 132-217, Pls. 1-20.
↑Garman, S., [1881]. Report on the selachians. Reports on the results of dredging, ... along the Atlantic coast of the United States during the summer of 1880, by the U. S. Coast Survey Steamer "Blake," Commander J. R. Bartlett, U. S. N., commanding. XII. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. v. 8 (núm. 11): 231-237.
↑Shirai, S., S. Hagiwara & K. Nakaya. 1992. Scyliorhinus tokubee sp. nov. from Izu Peninsula, southern Japan (Scyliorhinidae, Elasmobranchii). Jpn. J. Ichthyol. v. 39 (núm. 1): 9-16.
↑Tanaka, S. 1908. Notes on some Japanese fishes, with descriptions of fourteen new species. J. Coll. Sci. Imp. Univ. Tokyo v. 23 (art. 7): 1-54, Pls. 1-4.
↑Howell Rivero, L. 1936. Some new, rare and little-known fishes from Cuba. Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. v. 41 (núm. 4): 41-76, Pls. 9-13.