How to Identify Longnose Sawshark

To identify Longnose Sawshark (Pristiophorus cirratus), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

elongated

Coloration

Dorsal surface is typically yellowish-brown to greyish-brown, often with darker blotches or bands. The ventral surface is pale white. The rostrum is generally lighter in color.

Scale type

placoid

Mouth position

inferior

Distinctive features

Extremely long, flattened, blade-like snout (rostrum) with sharp, alternating large and small denticles along its edges., A pair of prominent, unbranched barbels located approximately midway along the rostrum., Two dorsal fins of similar size, lacking spines., No anal fin., Large spiracles behind the eyes., Five pairs of gill slits located on the side of the head, anterior to the pectoral fins.

Dorsal fin

Two distinct dorsal fins, roughly equal in size, located far back on the body. The first dorsal fin originates behind the pectoral fin bases. Both lack spines.

Tail fin

Heterocercal caudal fin, with the upper lobe significantly longer than the lower lobe.

Pectoral fin

Moderately large and rounded.

Distinctive fins

Absence of an anal fin.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Rostrum

   The most defining feature is the long, flattened, saw-like snout with prominent, alternating large and small teeth-like denticles. The length of the rostrum is typically 27-33% of the total body length.

2. 2

   Barbels

   Look for two prominent, unbranched barbels located about halfway along the rostrum. This distinguishes it from some other sawshark species.

3. 3

   Gill Slits

   Observe the five pairs of gill slits located on the side of the head, anterior to the pectoral fins, a characteristic of sawsharks (Pristiophoriformes).

4. 4

   Absence of Anal Fin

   Unlike true sharks, sawsharks lack an anal fin, which is a key diagnostic feature.

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