LAST UPDATED: 22.10.2023
LAST UPDATED: 22.10.2023
CHAIN CATSHARK
CHAIN CATSHARK
Scyliorhinus retifer
Scyliorhinus retifer
The chain catshark (Scyliorhinus retifer) is a species of catshark that belongs to the family Scyliorhinidae. It is a small and slender shark found in the western Atlantic Ocean, specifically along the eastern coast of North America, from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico.
The chain catshark is known for its distinctive appearance, which includes a series of dark, chain-like markings on its body, hence the common name “chain catshark.” It is typically brown to grey in colour with these chain-like patterns, which help it blend in with its sandy and rocky habitats on the ocean floor. Its body is elongated, and it has two dorsal fins and a slender tail.
This shark is relatively small, typically growing to a maximum length of 59 cm (23 in.)¹. It is a nocturnal predator that feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and other bottom-dwelling organisms.
The chain catshark is oviparous, which means it lays eggs rather than giving birth to live young. The female deposits egg cases, often called “mermaid’s purses,” in sheltered areas. The eggs have long tendrils at their corners, which help anchor them to underwater structures.
Like many other catshark species, the chain catshark is of relatively low commercial importance and is not typically targeted by fisheries, in part because it often inhabits rough bottoms unsuited for trawling, from 58 m to 550 m on the continental shelf and upper slope².
The chain catshark may be a rare seasonal visitor of the St. Lawrence, but data is currently lacking to confirm its status.
¹ Castro, J. 2011. The Sharks of North America. Oxford University Press, 613 p.
² Gilhen, J., B. W. Coad, and A. Hebda. 2003. The chain dogfish, Scyliorhinus retifer (Garman, 1881), new to the Canadian Atlantic ichthyofauna. Canadian Field-Naturalist 117 (3): 475-477.
Order – Carcharhiniformes
Family – Scyliorhinidae
Genus – Scyliorhinus
Species – S. retifer
NAMES
NAMES
Scientific name: Scyliorhinus retifer
Common name: Chain catshark, chain dogfish.
French common name: Roussette maillée
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
• Chain-like markings: One of the most distinctive features of this shark is its chain-like markings on its body, which give it its common name. These dark, interconnected chain-like patterns can be found along its sides, back, and dorsal fins. The markings help it blend in with its sandy and rocky habitat.
• Size and shape: The chain catshark is a relatively small shark with a slender and elongated body. It typically grows to a maximum length of around 59 cm (23 in.)¹. Its body shape is adapted for a benthic (bottom-dwelling) lifestyle.
• Coloration: It is typically yellowish-brown to grey in colour, which also aids in its camouflage within its habitat.
• Dorsal fins: It has two spineless dorsal fins positioned far back on its body, closer to the caudal fin.
• Teeth: It has small, sharp teeth, which are adapted for grasping and consuming small prey such as fish and crustaceans.
• Barbels: The chain catshark does not have small, whisker-like structures called barbels near its nostrils.
¹ Castro, J. 2011. The Sharks of North America. Oxford University Press, 613 p.
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION
The chain catshark (Scyliorhinus retifer) is primarily found in the western Atlantic Ocean, specifically along the eastern coast of North America. Its distribution spans from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico. It is typically associated with continental shelves and slopes, often inhabiting sandy and rocky bottoms from 58 m to 550 m¹, as well as areas with submerged structures that provide shelter and hiding places. The chain catshark is a relatively common species in its range and is adapted to the temperate and subtropical waters of the western Atlantic. Its specific distribution may vary depending on factors such as water temperature, depth, and food availability.
In Atlantic Canada, rare observations of the chain catshark have been reported off Nova Scotia and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
¹ Gilhen, J., B. W. Coad, and A. Hebda. 2003. The chain dogfish, Scyliorhinus retifer (Garman, 1881), new to the Canadian Atlantic ichthyofauna. Canadian Field-Naturalist 117 (3): 475-477.
(BELOW) Provisional distribution of the chain catshark, Scyliorhinus retifer, in the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Canada, based on research by the St. Lawrence Shark Observatory. Only select cases are posted to illustrate the overall range. This map is updated with new and historical data on an ongoing basis. Map does not include data from the U.S. except borderline cases. To submit additional sightings or captures, please contact us. Click on icons for observation details.
CONSERVATION STATUS
CONSERVATION STATUS
As of October 2023, the chain catshark (Scyliorhinus retifer) has not been extensively assessed or listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Since the chain catshark is not a species of high commercial importance and is not subject to intense fishing pressure, it is generally considered to have a stable population within its known range.
Jeffrey Hay Gallant, MSc, is the founder and Scientific Director of the St. Lawrence Shark Observatory (ORS) and a doctoral researcher at UQAM. He made his first shark observation at Peggy’s Cove in 1975, first shark dive off Chebucto Head in 1992, co-led the first Canadian cage dives off Halifax in 2000, and was the first person to film a free-swimming Greenland shark in 2003.
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