Sphyrna gilberti

Sphyrna gilberti is a cryptic species of the family of hammerhead sharks ( Sphyrnidae ) extending outwardly from the little scalloped hammerhead ( Sphyrna lewini ) can differ. After a DNA analysis and accurate comparisons of the morphology provided evidence that there is a new way she was described in August 2013. The holotype and paratypes are young sharks that were caught up in the Bulls Bay on the coast of South Carolina. The species was named after the ichthyologist Carter R. Gilbert, which as early as 1967 an unusual Hammerhaiexemplar noticed that was captured at Charleston. This was probably the first catch of Sphyrna gilberti.

Features

Sphyrna gilberti has an elongated body with a round to oval, the tail increasingly triangular cross-section. The hammer-shaped head is flattened, reaches a width 25-32 % of standard length, and a length of more than 20% of standard length, which corresponds approximately to the distance between the two dorsal fins. The Cephalofoil ( the greatly enlarged head ) has a median indentation. The inner edge of the pelvic fins is smooth. The number of Präcaudal vortex (eddy in front of the tail spine) is 83 to 91 with only one copy had more than 87 Präcaudal swirls. Sphyrna gilberti is colored top, gray to brown, to the whitish belly toward the coloring is increasingly faint. The tip of the pectoral fin is white or dark ( in 60% of specimens ). The lower Schwanzflossenlobus has a dark gray to black lace.

The maximum size of the species which has been described in terms of juvenile fish is unknown. Since newborn specimens with unclosed umbilical having a length from 39.7 to 45.1 cm, smaller than newborns of Scalloped Hammerhead, it is assumed that Sphyrna not gilberti the maximum size of 3.7 to 4.3 meters long Scalloped hammerhead shark reached.

Dissemination

The exact area of ​​distribution of Sphyrna gilberti is unknown. All known specimens are from the northwestern Atlantic Ocean from the coast of South Carolina. However, there are indications that the species occurs in the western South Atlantic.