onefin catshark

Pentanchus profundicolus

Only genus member known from two specimens

Regional distribution
Marine fish
Pacific Ocean
Southeast Asia
Elongated
Large

The onefin catshark (Pentanchus profundicolus) is a species of shark belonging to the family Pentanchidae, the deepwater catsharks. It is the only member of its genus, Pentanchus. It is known from two specimens collected from the Tablas Strait and Mindanao Sea off the Philippines in the Western Central Pacific.

Class: Sharks and Rays
Order: Ground Sharks
Family: Pentanchidae
Genus: Pentanchus
Maximum length: 51 cm
Water: Marine
Body shape: elongated
Distribution: Western Central Pacific: known from the holotype and only specimen taken from the Mindanao Sea, Philippines. Upon comparing, the holotypes of Apristurus herklotsi and this species are conspecific, thus, suggesting that Pentanchus is a senior synonym of Apristurus . But due to lack of verifiable specimens, herklotsi is tentatively retained in Apristurus .
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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