Squalus hima : New Species Of Deep Water Dogfish
Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) recently discovered a new species of deep-water dogfish shark Squalus hima from a fishing harbour in Kerala along the Arabian Sea.
- Squalus hima is a new species of dogfish sharkdiscovered from the southwest coast of India.
- Squalus is a genus of dogfish sharks in the family Squalidae, commonly known as spurdogs and are characterized by smooth dorsal fin spines.
- They also have an angular short snout, a small mouth almost as wide as the snout, a first dorsal fin origin behind the pectoral fins, and a body without any spots.
- They are exploited for their liver oil, which contains high levels of squalene (or squalane when it is processed for products).
- It is in high demand in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly for making high-end cosmetic and anti-cancerous products.
- The newly discovered Squalus hima differs from other species by the number of precaudal vertebrae, total vertebrae, teeth count, trunk & head heights, fin structure, and fin colour.
