Hemiscyllium galei, the Cenderawasih epaulette shark, is a species of bamboo shark in the family Hemiscylliidae. Together with H. henryi, it was only scientifically described in 2008 by Gerald R. Allen and Mark V. Erdmann.[2][3] At present, H. galei is only known from depths of 2 to 4 metres (6 ft 7 in to 13 ft 1 in) at reefs in the Cenderawasih Bay in West Papua, Indonesia.[2] The largest known specimen was 56.8 centimetres (22.4 in) long.[2] It can be separated from its relatives (e.g., H. freycineti) by the combination of seven relatively large dark spots along the side of the body (between the abdomen and tail-base), white markings on the edge of its dark dorsal saddles and other scattered white spots on the upper side.[2]

Hemiscyllium galei
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Order: Orectolobiformes
Family: Hemiscylliidae
Genus: Hemiscyllium
Species:
H. galei
Binomial name
Hemiscyllium galei
Range of the Cenderwasih epaulette shark

Etymology

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The shark is named in honor of underwater photographer and shark enthusiast Jeffrey Gale, who bid successfully to help conserve the species at a charity auction, and who then financially supported Conservation International's efforts to preserve its habitat.[4]

References

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  1. ^ VanderWright, W.J.; Allen, G.R.; Derrick, D.; Dudgeon, C.; Erdmann, M.V.; Sianipar, A. (2021). "Hemiscyllium galei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T195436A198885260. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T195436A198885260.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Allen & Erdmann (2008). "Two new species of bamboo sharks (Orectolobiformes: Hemiscylliidae) from Western New Guinea". Aqua (Miradolo Terme). 13 (3–4): 93–108.
  3. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Hemiscyllium galei". FishBase. May 2010 version.
  4. ^ Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara (22 September 2018). "Family HEMISCYLLIDAE Gill 1862 (Bamboo Sharks)". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
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