Mustelus canis

Dusky Smooth-Hound

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Chondrichthyes
• Order: Carcharhiniformes
• Family: Triakidae
• Genus: Mustelus
• Species: canis

Common Names by Region

• English: Dusky Smooth-Hound
• Spanish: Tiburón Liso Oscuro
• French: Émissole Brunâtre

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Description

• Body Shape: Slender, streamlined body designed for agility in coastal waters.
• Size: Average length of 3-4 feet (90-120 cm), with females generally larger than males.
• Coloration: Dusky gray to brownish on the dorsal side, fading to a pale or white ventral side.
• Teeth: Flattened, pavement-like teeth ideal for crushing crustaceans and mollusks.

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Habitat

• Range: Found along the western Atlantic Ocean, from southern New England to Argentina.
• Environment: Prefers shallow coastal waters, including estuaries and sandy bottoms, often venturing to depths of up to 200 feet (60 meters).

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Diet

• Opportunistic feeder, primarily consuming crabs, shrimp, mollusks, and small fish. Its diet reflects its habitat’s benthic resources.

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Behavior

• Social Structure: Often seen in groups or small schools, which may help in foraging or avoiding predators.
• Reproduction: Viviparous, with females giving birth to live pups after a gestation period of 10-11 months. Litters typically range from 4-20 pups.

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Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern, although some populations are impacted by habitat degradation and overfishing.
• Threats: Bycatch in fisheries, habitat loss due to coastal development, and pollution.

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Additional Notes

• Special Features: Its placid demeanor and manageable size make it a common subject in educational aquariums and a focus of ecological research.
• Cultural Significance: Often underappreciated, this species plays a critical role in maintaining benthic ecosystem balance.
• Maintenance Level: Low, as it thrives in its natural habitat with minimal disturbance