Pseudoginglymostoma brevicaudatum

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	CHONDRICHTHYES	ORECTOLOBIFORMES	GINGLYMOSTOMATIDAE

Scientific Name:

Pseudoginglymostoma brevicaudatum

Species Authority:

(Günther in Playfair & Günther, 1866)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Shorttail Nurse Shark
French	–	Requin-nourrice À Queue Courte
Spanish	–	Gata Nodriza Rabicorta

Taxonomic Notes:

Previously known as Ginglymostoma brevicaudatum.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Vulnerable A3cd+4cd ver 3.1
Year Published:	2004
Assessor/s:	Nel, R., Yahya, S., Jiddawi, N. & Semesi, S.
Reviewer/s:	Cavanagh, R.D., Kyne, P.M. & Fowler, S.L. (Shark Red List Authority)
Contributor/s:
Justification: The status of this poorly known endemic species is of concern due to its limited distribution on coral reefs in inshore tropical waters of East Africa and Madagascar (and possibly the Seychelles and Mauritius). Occurring in areas that support heavy inshore artisanal fisheries, it is probably not a targeted species but could be overfished as bycatch. The fins of this shark are known to fetch moderate prices in Tanzania. This species is also likely to be threatened by destruction of its coral reef habitat. Although data are lacking, this species is assessed as Vulnerable due to undoubted heavy pressure from inshore fisheries and habitat destruction, both of which are likely to increase in the future. In addition, it is likely that the subpopulations occurring off East Africa and Madagascar are distinct, thus the ?East African subpopulation? may also meet the threatened ?B? criterion (due to restricted geographic range).

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	The Madagascar subpopulation is likely to be distinct from the East Africa subpopulation. In addition, if this species is confirmed from Mauritius and the Seychelles, these are also likely to be distinct subpopulations. Thus further studies may reveal that the ?East African subpopulation? may in fact also meet the threatened ?B? criteria (due to restricted geographic range).
Countries:	Native: Kenya; Madagascar; Tanzania, United Republic of
FAO Marine Fishing Areas:	Native: Indian Ocean – western
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Abundant off East Africa a few decades ago (Bass, D'Aubrey and Kistnasamy, 1975a cited by Compangno 2001), but its current status is uncertain although is known to be still fairly common in catches in Tanzania.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	A little-known inshore (exact depth information is not available) benthic shark found on the continental and insular shelves. Occupies coral reefs. Possibly oviparous, but this requires confirmation (Compagno 2001). A female has been kept in captivity for over 33 years (Compagno 2001).
Systems:	Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Fished locally in artisanal fisheries and landed as bycatch of other fisheries. Inshore fishing pressure is heavy throughout its known range. Although it is uncertain whether the species itself is targeted, its fins are known to fetch a moderate price in Tanzania. Destruction and overfishing of this species? habitat (coral reefs). This species is amenable to captivity but its status in the aquarium trade is unknown. Utilization The skin of this species is tough and is possibly used for leather. Amenable to captivity given its size (but status in aquarium trade is unknown). Fins are exported to the Far East and are known to fetch a moderate price. The flesh is salted and dried for local use. Jaws sold locally to tourists.

Major Threat(s):

Fished locally in artisanal fisheries and landed as bycatch of other fisheries. Inshore fishing pressure is heavy throughout its known range. Although it is uncertain whether the species itself is targeted, its fins are known to fetch a moderate price in Tanzania. Destruction and overfishing of this species? habitat (coral reefs). This species is amenable to captivity but its status in the aquarium trade is unknown.

Utilization
The skin of this species is tough and is possibly used for leather. Amenable to captivity given its size (but status in aquarium trade is unknown). Fins are exported to the Far East and are known to fetch a moderate price. The flesh is salted and dried for local use. Jaws sold locally to tourists.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	None in place at present.

Conservation Actions:

None in place at present.

Citation:	Nel, R., Yahya, S., Jiddawi, N. & Semesi, S. 2004. Pseudoginglymostoma brevicaudatum. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 May 2013.
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