Eastern spotted gummy shark

The eastern spotted gummy shark (Mustelus walkeri) is a species of houndshark in the family Triakidae, found in Australian waters. Gummy sharks are relatively large with the following characteristics:

  • tall dorsal fins
  • a posterior margin directed posteroventrally from top to bottom and not upright distally
  • first dorsal-fin base is 1.6-2.0 times the anal-caudal space
  • buccopharyngeal denticles that cover entire palate and floor of mouth
  • long claspers of adult males are slender, strongly depressed, the inner length about 9-10% TL, extending to just anterior of the second dorsal-fin origin
  • lower edge of spiracle is usually close to level of mid-eye
  • insertion of anal-fin usually over its apex
  • about 69/73 teeth rows
  • 78- 94 precaudal vertebral centra
  • 35-39 monospondylous centra
  • dorsal color pale greyish with numerous small, often indistinct, semi-regular, diffuse-edged white spots on postspiracular head and body
  • light and dark tonal coloration well demarcated on head below eye and onto middle of first gill slit
  • intergill membranes are much darker dorsally than ventrally
  • bases and inner lobe of dorsal fins in juveniles (<400 mm TL) not strongly contrasted to distal part of fin, inner lobe is pale-edged
  • juveniles have caudal fin with distinctive whitish posterior margins.[2]

Eastern spotted gummy shark
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Superorder: Selachimorpha
Order: Carcharhiniformes
Family: Triakidae
Genus: Mustelus
Species:
M. walkeri
Binomial name
Mustelus walkeri

References
  1. Kyne, P.M.; Rigby, C.L. (2016). "Mustelus walkeri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T195426A68634512. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T195426A68634512.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. White, W.T. and P.R. Last, 2008. Description of two new species of gummy sharks, genus Mustelus (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) from Australian waters. In Last, P.R., White, W.T. & Pogonoski, J.J. (eds.): Descriptions of New Australian Chondrichthyans. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper no. 22.
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