Parascyllium variolatum
Varied catshark
Similar Species
Same Genus
Distribution
Temperate Australasia
Description
Sinuous snake-like appearance, the pattern of large white spots on a dark brown background and the characteristic black collar punctuated by small white spots that lies just behind the head. This catshark is relatively common within its range but is not often sighted by divers because it remains concealed among kelp and in crevices during the day.
Information
Max Size: 91 cm
Sea Temperature Range: 12.5-22.9°C
Depth: 3-180m
Habitat Generalization Index: N/A
Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.
Conservation and Rarity
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence: Infrequent (9.0% of sites)
Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed
Abundance: Solitary (1 per transect)
Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.
Edit by: GJ Edgar. 2008. Australian Marine Life. New Holland, Sydney