Japanese Bullhead Shark, Heterodontus japonicus (Maclay & Macleay, 1884)
Click to enlarge image
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Heterodontus
- Species
- japonicus
- Family
- Heterodontidae
- Order
- Heterodontiformes
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
Introduction
The Japanese Bullhead Shark can be recognised by its pattern of broad saddles or bars on the body.
Identification
The Japanese Bullhead Shark can be recognised by its pattern of broad saddles or bars on the body. The related Zebra Horn Shark, Heterodontus zebra has narrower dark bars on a very pale body. The Zebra Horn Shark has been recorded from Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam, Indonesia and the north-west shelf of Western Australia.
Habitat
The species occurs in shallow marine waters.
Distribution
It has been recorded from Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan.
Economic impacts
The Japanese Bullhead Shark in the image was photographed in an aquarium at the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market: Tsukiji Market. Thank you to Dr K. Matsuura and Dr K. Sakamoto for confirming the identification of this species and for their generous assistance at the Tsukiji Market.
References
- Compagno, L.J.V. 1984. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 4, Sharks of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 1 - Hexanchiformes to Lamniformes: viii, 1-250.
