Porbeagle
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The porbeagle (Lamna nasus) is a large pelagic predatory shark.
Distribution
The porbeagle's distribution ranges from the northeastern coast of North America, from New Jersey to Greenland and from the northwesten coast of Africa, Morocco or Western Sahara and the Mediterranean, and up to the waters off Iceland to the north coast of Norway and the northwestern coast of Russia. In the southern hemisphere its distribution is circumglobal from 30° to 60° south.The porbeagle is listed as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Red List of Threatened Species. Canada also lists the porbeagle as an endangered species and overfishing has recently decimated numbers in British waters.
Habitat
The porbeagle is mainly a pelagic shark, but can be found in coastal waters. It lives in cold water commonly from about 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F), but have been found down to 1°C (33°F) and up to 23°C (71°F). It can be found at the surface and to a depth of more than 700 meters.Anatomy and appearance
The most distinguishing characteristic of Lamna nasus is its white patch on the trailing edge of the dorsal fin. This distinguishes it from both the Salmon shark and the Great white shark. It has two keels on the tail fin, in common with the Salmon shark.The porbeagle is a stout and heavy shark, dark blue-gray on top and white underneath, with a conical snout. The porbeagle can grow up to about 3.7 m (12 feet), weighing about 160-250 Kg (350-550 pounds).
Behaviour
This is one of the fastest sharks. Since it is so fast it can jump fully out of the water, this have only been observed in a few sharks. This behaviour is called breaching.
Diet
The porbeagle is an opportunistic feeder, it eats mostly bony fish like mackerel, herring lancetfish and sauries.
Reproduction
The porbeagle is ovoviviparous. Gestation period is about 8 to 9 months. Litters of up to 6 pups have been recorded but the normal size is about 4. Pups are about 60 to 80 cm long when born. Female porbeagles reaches sexual maturity at about 12 to 13 years and males at 7 to 8 years.
Other denominations
- English
- *Beaumaris-Shark
- French
- *Loutre de mer
- *Squale nez
- *Pichoun lamix
- *Lami
- *Redouno
- *Taupe de mer
- *Touille boeuf
- *Requin long nez
- *Melantoun
- Italian
- *Smeriglio
- *Squalo nasuto
- *Pesce pavone
- Sicilian
- *Cani di mari
- *Pisci tunnu
- Spanish
- *Ludia
- *Taulò
- *Marrajo
- *Marraco
- *Marraquet
- *Marraix
- *Caldeon
References
- Stevens et al (2005). [Lamna nasus]. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is vulnerable
- [Lamna nasus (TSN 159911)]. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 23 January 2006.
- "[Lamna nasus]." FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. 09 2005 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2005.
External links
- [Richard Ellis porbeagle page]
- [New brunswick net porbeagle page]
- [Florida museum of natural history porbeagle page]
- [Canadian Shark research laboratory]
- [Capt. Toms guide to New England sharks]
- [Mediterranean Shark site]
- [Porbeagle, Lamna nasus] [MarineBio]"
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