Author: Cuvier, 1829
Squatina aculeata Cuvier, 1829
Status in World Register of Marine Species:
Accepted name: Squatina aculeata Cuvier, 1829 (updated 2009-06-25)
Diagnosis: eye larger than spiracle. Frontal cephalic membranes lobed; external nasal flap strongly fringed; spiracle with 13-14 pseudobranchial lamellae. Teeth 19-24/19-23, mean 21/21. Pectoral fin base at least half fin length; hind tips of pelvic fins reaching level of first dorsal fin origin. Denticles on back large-based, almost pyramidal, with a line of strong median spines; lower surfaces with denticles only on outer front edges of pectoral and pelvic fins and down centre of tail. Vertebrae 63-64 to level of first dorsal fin. Colour: light brown mottled with dark brown, with some round white spots arranged symmetrically on head and body. Size: to 1.3 m and about 27 kg.
Habitat: seems to prefer muddy bottoms, at 50-500 m. Food: fishes and bottom-living animals. Reproduction: no data.
Distribution: Mediterranean and coast of Morocco. Elsewhere, southward to Angola.