Manuscript Title:

CHILOSCYLLIUM GRISEUM (GRAY BAMBOO SHARK): REVEALING THE FASCINATING INTERPLAY OF ANATOMY, ECOLOGY, BEHAVIOR, AND BIOLOGY

Author:

RABIYA NASIR, SUMAIRA PERVAIZ, NAZIA IBRAHIM, NADIA NAZISH, ADNAN IHSAN, AMNA ALI, IQRA NOSHAIR

DOI Number:

DOI:10.5281/zenodo.11146268

Published : 2024-05-10

About the author(s)

1. RABIYA NASIR - Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
2. SUMAIRA PERVAIZ - Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Science and Technology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan.
3. NAZIA IBRAHIM - Department of Zoology, University of Sialkot, Sialkot, Pakistan.
4. NADIA NAZISH - Department of Zoology, University of Sialkot, Sialkot, Pakistan.
5. ADNAN IHSAN - Punjab College, Sialkot, Pakistan.
6. AMNA ALI - Department of Zoology, University of Sialkot, Sialkot, Pakistan.
7. IQRA NOSHAIR - Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Science and Technology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan.

Full Text : PDF

Abstract

Chiloscyllium griseum, are a distinct species of elasmobranch that live in the shallow coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. When it comes to anatomy, C. griseum is known for its thin body, dark grey dorsal coloring, prominent bright spots, and unusual arrangement of dermal denticles. Its skeletal architecture, teeth, and sensory organs, especially the lateral line system and electroreceptors are well adapted to its benthic habitat and ability to identify prey. During the span of the 2014–2023 study period, a total of 355 specimens of Chiloscyllium griseum were observed in the landings at Karachi Fish Harbor. These observations were split down into five (5) surveys, wherein the male population contributed 42.54% to the overall population of this species, while the female population dominated at 57.45%. While the least number of these specimens were found in Survey 1, which only revealed 3.38% of its population, these specimens were consistently observed in Survey 2, which supplied 37.18% of the observations. Male specimens were found to have a maximum length of 31 cm and a weight of 4.8 kg, while female specimens had a maximum length of 80 cm and a weight of 4.6 kg. In the months, the gravid females were noticed.


Keywords

Indo-West Pacific, Dermal Denticles, Subtropical Coastal Environments, Nocturnal Forager, Habitat Degradation.