Frog shark
{{Short description|Species of shark}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Frog shark
| status = DD
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Somniosus
| species = longus
| range_map =
| range_map_caption =
| authority = S. Tanaka (I), 1912
| synonyms = Heteroscymnus longus Tanaka, 1912
}}
The frog shark (Somniosus longus) is a very rare species of squaliform shark mainly found in deep water in the Pacific Ocean. It is in the sleeper shark family Somniosidae, along with the Greenland shark.
Description
The frog shark is known to grow to a maximum length of {{Convert|110|cm|abbr=on}} in males and {{Convert|130|cm|abbr=on}} in females. Previously classified in the same taxon as the similar Somniosus rostratus, it is differentiated from S. rostratus in having a longer second dorsal fin, a slightly larger eye, more rows of teeth and a greater spiral valve count.{{cite journal |last1=Yano |first1=Kazunari |last2=Stevens |first2=John D. |last3=Compagno |first3=Leonard J. V. |name-list-style=amp |title=A review of the systematics of the sleeper shark genus Somniosus with redescriptions of Somniosus (Somniosus) antarcticus and Somniosus (Rhinoscymnus) longus (Squaliformes: Somniosidae) |journal=Ichthyological Research |date=2004 |volume=51 |issue=4 |pages=360–373 |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10228-004-0244-4 |doi=10.1007/s10228-004-0244-4|bibcode=2004IchtR..51..360Y |s2cid=38054192 }}
Range
Fewer than a dozen specimens of this deepwater shark have been collected, mostly from the Pacific Ocean. The frog shark has been recorded off the coasts of Japan, New Zealand, and possibly Salas y Gómez, as well as the Nazca Ridge, from as shallow as 120–150 m and as deep as 1,116 m.
Threats
The frog shark is occasionally caught by trawl, longline, and crab pot fisheries. As of 2015, no current conservation efforts are in place. In June 2018 the New Zealand Department of Conservation classified the frog shark as "Data Deficient" with the qualifier "Uncertain whether Secure Overseas" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.{{Cite book|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/science-and-technical/nztcs23entire.pdf|title=Conservation status of New Zealand chondrichthyans (chimaeras, sharks and rays), 2016|last1=Duffy|first1=Clinton A. J.|last2=Francis|first2=Malcolm|last3=Dunn|first3=M. R.|last4=Finucci|first4=Brit|last5=Ford|first5=Richard|last6=Hitchmough|first6=Rod|last7=Rolfe|first7=Jeremy |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Department of Conservation|year=2018|isbn=9781988514628|location=Wellington, New Zealand|pages=11|oclc=1042901090}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q4667770}}
Category:Fish of the Pacific Ocean
Category:Marine fish of New Zealand
Category:Taxa named by Shigeho Tanaka
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