Hemiscyllium galei

Hemiscyllium galei
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Order: Orectolobiformes
Family: Hemiscylliidae
Genus: Hemiscyllium
Species:
H. galei
Binomial name
Hemiscyllium galei
Range of the Cenderwasih epaulette shark

Hemiscyllium galei, the Cenderawasih epaulette shark, is a species of bamboo shark in the family Hemiscylliidae. Together with H. henryi, it was only scientifically described in 2008 by Gerald R. Allen and Mark V. Erdmann.[2][3] At present, H. galei is only known from depths of 2 to 4 metres (6 ft 7 in to 13 ft 1 in) at reefs in the Cenderawasih Bay in West Papua, Indonesia.[2] The largest known specimen was 56.8 centimetres (22.4 in) long.[2] It can be separated from its relatives (e.g., H. freycineti) by the combination of seven relatively large dark spots along the side of the body (between the abdomen and tail-base), white markings on the edge of its dark dorsal saddles and other scattered white spots on the upper side.[2]

Etymology

The shark is named in honor of underwater photographer and shark enthusiast Jeffrey Gale, who bid successfully to help conserve the species at a charity auction, and who then financially supported Conservation International's efforts to preserve its habitat.[4]

References

  1. ^ VanderWright, W.J.; Allen, G.R.; Derrick, D.; Dudgeon, C.; Erdmann, M.V.; Sianipar, A. (2021). "Hemiscyllium galei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T195436A198885260. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T195436A198885260.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Allen & Erdmann (2008). "Two new species of bamboo sharks (Orectolobiformes: Hemiscylliidae) from Western New Guinea". Aqua (Miradolo Terme). 13 (3–4): 93–108.
  3. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Hemiscyllium galei". FishBase. May 2010 version.
  4. ^ Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara (22 September 2018). "Order ORECTOLOBIFORMES (Carpet Sharks)". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Archived from the original on 12 May 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2022.


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