Brown smooth-hound

Brown smooth-hound
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Division: Selachii
Order: Carcharhiniformes
Family: Triakidae
Genus: Mustelus
Species:
M. henlei
Binomial name
Mustelus henlei
(Gill, 1863)
Synonyms
  • Rhinotriacis henlei Gill, 1863
  • Triakis henlei (Gill, 1863)

The brown smooth-hound (Mustelus henlei) is a houndshark of the family Triakidae. The reproduction of this shark is viviparous. The brown smooth-hound reaches a maximum reported size of 95.0 cm and a minimum of 27.6cm amongst males while females can range from 25.7 cm to 100 cm although males reach their asymptotic length sooner than females. The average size of this species is between 50 and 70 cm and is between 19 and 21 cm at birth. Females at maternity are around 67.6 cm long whereas the average length at maturity is 63.6 cm for males and 65.6 cm for females. This species is a ground shark and has a heterocercal caudal fin bearing an elongate upper lobe, triangular and broad dorsal fins, broad pectoral fins, an inferior mouth, and large eyes, and displays a reddish or bronze coloration from above and a silverish coloration on the underside. The shark is additionally slender, long-snouted, and sharp-toothed. The teeth of the brown smooth-hound often bear a narrow primary cusp and one or two accessory cusplets.