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Galeorhinus galeus

(Eastern School Shark, Flake, Greyboy, Greyshark, Hundshai, Liver-Oil Shark, Penny's Dog, Schnapper Shark, School Shark, Sharpie Shark, Snapper Shark, Soupfin Shark, Spiny Dogfishes, Sweet William Shark, Tope, Tope Oil Shark, Tope School Shark, Tope Shark, Tope Soupfin Shark, Vitamin Shark)

Overview

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Family : Houndsharks ; Mainly demersal on continental and insular shelves, but also on the upper slopes , at depths from near shore to 550 m (Ref. 6871). Has been shown to be pelagic in the open ocean (frequently caught on floating tuna longlines over deep water , and many New Zealand-tagged specimens have been recaptured in Australia) (Ref. 26346). Occurs in small schools that are highly migratory in higher latitudes in their range (Ref. 244). There is pronounced partial segregation by size and sex in some areas (Ref. 244). Feeds on fishes (bottom as well as pelagic species, Ref. 26346), crustaceans, cephalopods , worms, and echinoderms (Ref. 244). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Its meat is excellent for human consumption , liver for squalene oil , fins for soup (Ref. 244); also utilized as fishmeal (Ref. 13563). Marketed fresh, dried-salted, and frozen (Ref. 9987). Adapts well in captivity if carefully captured and handled (Ref. 12951).

Vulnerable
Threat status

Common Names

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Click on the language to view common names.

Common Names in Afrikaans:

Sopvinhaai, Vaalhaai

Common Names in Albanian:

Peshk Qen, Peshkagen

Common Names in Arabic:

Kalb, Kelb Il Bahar

Common Names in Catalan:

Cassó, Gat, Mussola Carallo

Common Names in Croatian:

Butor, Kucak, Pas Butor

Common Names in Czech:

ÂŽralok Hejnový, Žralok Hejnový, Žralok Hejnový

Common Names in Danish:

Almindelig GrÃ¥haj, Almindelig Gråhaj, GrÃ¥haj, Gråhaj

Common Names in Dutch:

Australische Haai, Ruwe Haai

Common Names in English:

Eastern School Shark, Flake, Greyboy, Greyshark, Hundshai, Liver-Oil Shark, Penny's Dog, Schnapper Shark, School shark, School Shark, Sharpie Shark, Snapper Shark, Soupfin Shark, Spiny Dogfishes, Sweet William Shark, Tollo, Tope, Tope Oil Shark, Tope School Shark, Tope Shark, Tope Soupfin Shark, Vitamin Shark

Common Names in Faroese:

Gráhávur, Gráhávur

Common Names in Finnish:

Harmaahai

Common Names in French:

Émissole, Cagnot, Canicule, Chien De Mer, Chien Hâ, Chien Hâ, Émissole, Gat, Hâ, Halt, Haut, Hâ, Lamie, Lamiola, Milandre, Pal, Pal Or Pallon Or Palloun, Pallon, Palloun, Paroun, Requin Hâ, Requin Hâ, Requin-Griset, Requin-Hã, Requin-Hâ, Requin-Hã, Touille

Common Names in German:

Australischer Hundshai, Biethai, Gemeine Meersau, Großer Hundshai, Großer Hundshai, Hundshai, Schulhai

Common Names in Greek:

Αλίχια, Γάτος, Γαλέος, Γαλιός, Δοντάς, Δροσίτης , Σκυλογαλέος, Σκυλόψαρο, Σκύλος, Galéos Drossitis, Galéos Drossitis, Αλίχια, Γάτος, Γαλέος, Γαλιός, ΔÏοσίτης, Δοντάς, ΣκυλόψαÏο, Σκυλογαλέος, ΣκÏλος, Skylogaleos, Skylos Drossiti

Common Names in Greek, Modern (1453):

Galéos Drossitis, Σκυλογαλέος, Skylogaleos, Skylos Drossiti

Common Names in Haida:

Uwii Guuga

Common Names in Hebrew:

Karishan

Common Names in Icelandic:

Gráháfur, Gráháfur

Common Names in Italian:

Bistinu, Cagnassa, Cagnizza, Can Da Denti, Can Negro, Canesca, Canoso, Canuso, Canuzzu, Capucchiata, Galeo, Muzzolu, Paccavà, Paccavà, Palombo, Palummina, Palummu, Passaturi, Pesce Cane, Piscicani, Vaccotta

Common Names in Maltese:

Kelb Il-Bahar, Mazzola, Mazzola Bla Xewka

Common Names in Mandarin Chinese:

油翅鯊, 澳洲翅鯊, 翅鯊, 背盔鯊, 翅鯊, 翅鲨, 背盔鯊, 背盔鲨, 油翅鯊, 油翅鲨, 澳洲翅鯊, 澳洲翅鲨

Common Names in Maori:

Kapeta, Makohuarau, Tupere

Common Names in Norwegian:

GrÃ¥hai, Gråhai

Common Names in Portuguese:

Bico De Cristal, Cação, Cação-Bico-De-Cristal, Cação, Cação-Bico-De-Cristal, Perna De Moça, Perna De Moça, Perna-De-Moça, Perna-De-Moça Da Australia, Perna-De-Moça, Perna-De-Moça Da Australia, Tubarão-Perna De Moça, Tubarão-Perna-De-Moça, Tubarão-Vitamínico, Tubarão-Perna De Moça, Tubarão-Perna-De-Moça, Tubarão-VitamÃŒnico, Tubarão-Vitamínico

Common Names in Rumanian:

Rechin de supa, Rechin De Supa

Common Names in Russian:

акула суповая, акула ÑуповаÑ

Common Names in Salish:

K´wet´thenéchte, K'wet'thenéchte, K'wet'thenéchte

Common Names in Serbian:

Pas Butor

Common Names in Spanish:

Aceitero, Bostrich, Bostrio, Caçó, Caçó, Cámari, Cazón, Cazón Aceitero, Cazón De Altura, Cazón Dientuso, Cazon, Cazón Aceitero, Cazón De Altura, Cazón Dientuso, Cámari, Cuero, Gat, Gato, Lija, Musola Corallo, Pez Peine, Tiburón Aceitoso, Tiburón De Aleta, Tiburón Vitaminico, Tiburón Aceitoso, Tiburón De Aleta, Tiburón Vitaminico, Tolle, Tollo, Tollo Cazón, Tollo Cazón, Tollos, Trompa De Cristal

Common Names in Swedish:

Bethaj, GrÃ¥haj, Gråhaj, HÃ¥störje, Håstörje

Common Names in Turkish:

Camgöz Baligi, Köpek Baligi, Pas Butor

Description

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Family Triakidae

Small to moderate-sized sharks with horizontally oval eyes, nictitating eyelids , anterior nasal flaps , two large-sized, spineless dorsal fins and an anal fin, the first dorsal base well ahead of pelvic bases. Species found in all warm and temperate coastal seas . They feed primarily on bottom and midwater invertebrates and bony fishes.The family Triakidae belongs to the Class Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays ) and the Order Carcharhiniformes. It contains 9 genera and 34 species. It may be found in Marine environments and is primarily Marine. Members of this family are not used in the aquarium trade. Reproductively, most members of this family are bearers. The main mode of swimming of adult fish in this family is subcarangiform. Compared with other fish, the activity level of this family tends to be sluggish. Members of this family have been dated back to the Eocene epoch of the Tertiary period. Etymology of this family name : Greek, triakis = thrice

Physical Description

Species Galeorhinus galeus

Distinctive Features: The tope shark is a large, slender houndshark (Family Triakidae), with a long snout and large mouth . Pronounced spiracles are located just behind the large, almond-shaped eyes. The first dorsal fin is much larger than the second dorsal. The second dorsal fin is located nearly over the anal fin and is of approximately the same size. This same-sized dorsal and anal fin measurement along with the large terminal caudal tab which extends about half the length of the dorsal caudal margin distinguishes this shark from other houndsharks .

Dentition: The blade-like teeth of the tope shark have oblique cusps and distal cusplets in both jaws .

Color:

The color of the tope shark ranges from bluish to dusky gray on the dorsal surface, fading to a white ventral side. Young individuals less than 2 feet (61 cm) in length have black-tipped dorsal and caudal fins, and a white trailing edge on the pectoral fins.

Size/Age/Growth

The maximum reported size for this shark species is 6.3 feet (193 cm) total length for a male specimen and 6.4 feet (195 cm) total length for a female. The maximum published weight of the tope shark is 98.5 pounds (44.7 kg ). It is believed that the tope shark has a life span of up to 55 years. Males reach maturity at approximately 5 feet (152 cm) in length at an age of 12-17 years while females mature at about 5.8 feet (177 cm) in length correlating to an age of 13-15 years.

One study in the waters off the Azores determined growth rates of juveniles to be approximately 3.9 inches (10 cm) per year for the first 6 years of life with growth slowing as the shark approaches maturity.

Habitat

The tope shark is an abundant species that resides in continental and insular waters including shallow bays . It is also found in offshore waters as well as in the surf zone. This shark commonly occurs near the bottom substrate at depths to 1,804 feet (550 m ). It also is pelagic in open waters as evidenced by capture on floating longlines in deep waters .

At the higher latitudes in its range , the tope shark is a highly migratory species. In some locations, small schools of tope sharks moved toward the poles during the summer and toward the equator during the cool winter months. These sharks are strong swimmers, capable of swimming up to 35 miles (56 km ) per day.

Schools of tope sharks display partial segregation by sex and size. In waters off California (U.S.) during the early 20th century, there was a change in dominance of adult males to adult females from north to south with equal numbers of both sexes in waters off central California. Exceptions to this segregation occurred only at the pupping grounds in southern inshore locations where females dominated.

Typically found in water with a depth of 0 to -5,414 meters (0 to -17,762 feet).Mean = -176.430 meters (-578.839 feet), Standard Deviation = 530.240 based on 6,483 observations. Ocean depth information for each observation from British Oceanographic Data Centre.

Biome: Saltwater . Benthopelagic.

Ecology: Most abundant in cold to warm temperate continental seas , from the surfline and very shallow water to well offshore (Compagno in prep b ). In Australasia G. galeus occurs over the continental shelf from shallow, inshore bays (mainly juveniles ) to about 800 m depth on the continental slope . At least in some areas (Northeast Atlantic, Tasman Sea) they also extend offshore up to 1,610 km from the coast (Fitzmaurice 1979, Brown et al. 2000). The species is primarily found near the bottom but ranges through the water column even into the pelagic zone. Similar to the Australian and South American populations, the South African population inhabits cool waters from the coastal surfline to the continental shelf (>400 m).

The life history parameters of G. galeus varies between regions. For a review of life history from different regions see Walker (1999) which draws on a number of sources including: Ripley (1946), Olsen (1954, 1959, 1984), Freer (1992), Capape and Mellinger (1988) and Peres and Vooren 1991). For a summary of life history characteristics by regional population see the tables at the end of this assessment (these will be specifically drawn upon for regional reports).

The maximum size varies considerably: the maximum size recorded is ~200 cm total length (female) in the Mediterranean (Capape and Mellinger 1998), but is somewhat smaller in the Southwest Atlantic with a maximum size of 155 cm (female); 148 cm (male) (Peres and Vooren 1991). Differences are also apparent in the size at maturity in different regions. The smallest sizes at sexual maturity are in the Southwest Atlantic where males attain sexual maturity at 107–117 cm and females at 118 to 128 cm (Peres and Vooren 1991), elsewhere the range is generally between 120 and 135 cm for males and 134 to 140 cm for females (Olsen 1954, Capape and Mellinger 1988, Peres and Vooren 1991, Freer 1992), although Ripley (1946) noted 150 cm for females and McCord (2005) reports 101 cm for males.

Reproduction is aplacental viviparity with average litters of 20 to 35 pups , with as few as six and as many as 52 observed with an average of 35 in the Eastern North Pacific (Ripley 1946, Ebert 2003)) produced in spring or early summer after a gestation period of ~12 months; the young vary in length at birth between 26 and 40 cm, depending on the region. The litter size increases in larger females. Males appear to breed every year but individual females have been reported to breed every year in the Mediterranean, every second year in Australia, and every third year in Brazil (Capape and Mellinger 1988, Peres and Vooren 1991, Olsen 1954). These may reflect real differences or may be due to the difficulties of sampling a species, which shows marked temporal and spatial sexual and size segregation , and which makes extensive movements.

These animals are very long-lived and are estimated to live for up to 60 years, although estimates vary (from around 22 years to around 40 years to up to 60 years) with region and ageing methods used. In Australia, tags have been returned from animals at liberty for more than 40 years. Age at maturity is 8 to 10 for males and 10 to 15 for females (Olsen 1954, Peres and Vooren 1991, Freer 1992, Walker 1999, Ebert 2003). The annual rate of population increase has been estimated by Cortes (2002) at 1.077 ( 95% C.I. 1.037 to 1.128) and the natural mortality by Smith et al. (1998) at 0.113.

The species feeds mainly on teleost fish, most often on bottom-associated species although pelagic fish are also taken (Walker 1999). Cephalopods , mostly squid and octopus , are also important in their diet . Small juveniles include a high proportion of crustaceans and other prey such as annelids and gastropods in their diet (Olsen 1954, Stevens and West 1997, Walker and Punt 1998). Predators (especially of juveniles) include the great white shark Carcharadon carcharias, sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus, and possibly marine mammals (Ripley 1946; Ebert 2001, 2003). (Ref. 80485)


List of Habitats :9.1Marine Neritic - Pelagic 10.1Marine Oceanic - Epipelagic (0-200m)

Biology

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Diet

Feeds on a variety of fishes including pilchards, herring , sardines , anchovies , salmon, smelt, hake, cod , midshipmen, flyingfish, barracuda, mackerel , tuna , croakers, wrasses , damselfishes , gobies , kelpfish, sole , halibut, scorpionfish, and sculpins . Invertebrate prey items of the tope shark include squid, octopus , crabs, marine snails, and sea urchins.

Reproduction

Ovoviviparous without a yolk sac placenta. Mating occurs during the spring months. After an approximately year-long gestation period , the females move into shallow estuaries and bays to give birth. Known locations of nursery areas off the state of California (U.S.) includes San Francisco, Humboldt, and Tomales Bays. Each litter numbers from 6 to 52 pups , dependent upon the size of the mother. Each pup measures 12-14 inches (30-35 cm) in length. The pups remain in the shallow nursery areas for one to two years before moving offshore.

Behavior

Predators:

Predators of the tope shark include the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) and the broadnose sevengill shark (Heptranchias perlo). Potential predators include other large sharks as well as marine mammals including California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

Parasites:

Anthobothrium galeorhini n. sp. (Eucestoda: Phyllobothriidae) is a known parasite of the tope shark . It has been collected from the spiral intestine of an individual in the Atlantic coastal region.

Taxonomy

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Ambiguous Synonyms

  1. Notogaleus rhinophanes (P�ron, 1807)
  2. Squalus rhinophanes P�ron, 1807

Unambiguous Synonyms

  1. Carcharhinus cyrano Whitley, 1930
  2. Eugaleus galeus (Linnaeus, 1758)
  3. Galeorhinus australis (Macleay, 1881)
  4. Galeorhinus chilensis (Perez Canto, 1886)
  5. Galeorhinus galeus (Linnaeus, 1758)
  6. Galeorhinus vitaminicus de Buen, 1950
  7. Galeorhinus zyopterus Jordan & Gilbert, 1883
  8. Galeus australis Macleay, 1881
  9. Galeus canis Bonaparte, 1834
  10. Galeus chilensis Perez Canto, 1886
  11. Galeus communis Owen, 1853
  12. Galeus linnei Malm, 1877
  13. Galeus molinae Philippi, 1887
  14. Galeus nilssoni Bonaparte, 1846
  15. Galeus vulgaris Fleming, 1828
  16. Galeus zyopterus (Jordan & Gilbert, 1883)
  17. Notogaleus australis (Macleay, 1881)
  18. Squalus galeus Linnaeus, 1758

Notes

Name Status: Accepted Name . Synonym: Eugaleus galeus. Latest taxonomic scrutiny: October 28, 2000.

English language common names include tope shark , eastern school shark, flake , greyboy, greyshark, Penny's dog, schnapper shark, school shark, sharpie shark, soupfin shark, Sweet William shark, tope oil shark, tope school shark, tope soupfin shark, and vitamin shark. Other common names from around the globe are aceitero (Spanish), Australische haai (Dutch), Australischer Hundshai (German), bethaj (Swedish), biethaj (German), bostrich (Spanish), bostrio (Spanish), cação (Portuguese), cagnot (French), cámari (Spanish), camgöz baligi (Turkish), can negro (Italian ), canesca (Italian), canicule (French), cazon (Spanish), chien de mer (French), cuero (Spanish), galeo (Italian), galéos drossitis (Greek), gat (French), Gemeine Meersau (German), gráháfur (Icelandic), gråhai (Norwegian), Großer Hundshai (German), halt (French), harmaahai (Finnish), haute (French), hundshai (German), kalb (Arabic), kapeta (Maori), karishan (Hebrew), kelb il bahar (Arabic), lamie (French), lamiola (French), makohuarau (Maori), mazzola (Maltese), milandre (French), musola corallo (Spanish), pal (French), pallon (French), paroun (French), pas butor (Serbian), perna-de-moça (Portuguese), peshk qen (Albanian), rechin de supa (Rumanian), ruwe haai (Dutch), Schulhai (German), skylogaleus (Greek), skylos drossiti (Greek), sopvinhaai (Afrikaans), tiburón de aleta (Spanish), tollo (Spanish), tollos (Spanish), touille (French), tupere (Maori), uwii guuga (Haida), and vaalhaai (Afrikaans). Other common names: Spanish: Aceitero, Danish: Almindelig gråhaj, Dutch: Australische haai, German: Australischer Hundshai, Swedish: Bethaj, German: Biethai, Italian: Bistinu, Spanish: Bostrich, Spanish: Bostrio, Portuguese: Cação, Portuguese: Cação-bico-de-cristal, Spanish: Caçó, Italian: Cagnassa, Italian: Cagnizza, French: Cagnot, Spanish: Cámari, Turkish: Camgöz baligi, Italian: Can da denti, Italian: Can negro, Italian: Canesca, French: Canicule, Italian: Canoso, Italian: Canuso, Italian: Canuzzu, Italian: Capucchiata, Spanish: Cazon, Spanish: Cazón, Spanish: Cazón aceitero, Spanish: Cazón de altura, Spanish: Cazón dientuso, French: Chien de mer, French: Chien hâ, Spanish: Cuero, French: Émissole, Italian: Galeo, Greek: Galéos drossitis, French: Gat, Spanish: Gat, Spanish: Gato, German: Gemeine Meersau, Icelandic: Gráháfur, Norwegian: Gråhai, Danish: Gråhaj, Swedish: Gråhaj, Faroese: Gráhávur, German: Großer Hundshai, French: Hâ, French: Halt, Finnish: Harmaahai, Swedish: Håstörje, French: Haut, German: Hundshai, Arabic: Kalb, Maori: Kapeta, Hebrew: Karishan, Arabic: Kelb il bahar, Maltese: Kelb il-bahar, Turkish: Köpek baligi, Salish: K'wet'thenéchte, French: Lamie, French: Lamiola, Spanish: Lija, Maori: Makohuarau, Maltese: Mazzola, Maltese: Mazzola bla xewka, French: Milandre, Spanish: Musola corallo, Catalan: Mussola carallo, Italian: Muzzolu, Italian: PaccavNEWAMPERSANDagrave;, French: Pal, French: Pallon, French: Palloun, Italian: Palombo, Italian: Palummina, Italian: Palummu, French: Paroun, Turkish: Pas butor, Italian: Passaturi, Portuguese: Perna de moNEWAMPERSANDccedil;a, Portuguese: Perna-de-moNEWAMPERSANDccedil;a, Portuguese: Perna-de-moNEWAMPERSANDccedil;a da Australia, Italian: Pesce cane , Albanian: Peshk qen, Albanian: Peshkagen, Spanish: Pez peine, Italian: Piscicani, Rumanian: Rechin de supa, French: Requin hNEWAMPERSANDacirc;, French: Requin-hNEWAMPERSANDacirc;, French: Requin-hNEWAMPERSANDatilde;, Dutch: Ruwe haai, German: Schulhai, Greek: Skylogaleos, Greek: Skylos drossiti, Afrikaans: Sopvinhaai, Spanish: TiburNEWAMPERSANDoacute;n de aleta, Spanish: TiburNEWAMPERSANDoacute;n vitaminico, Spanish: Tolle, Spanish: Tollo, Spanish: Tollo cazNEWAMPERSANDoacute;n, Spanish: Tollos, French: Touille, Portuguese: TubarNEWAMPERSANDatilde;o-perna de moNEWAMPERSANDccedil;a, Portuguese: TubarNEWAMPERSANDatilde;o-perna-de-moNEWAMPERSANDccedil;a, Portuguese: TubarNEWAMPERSANDatilde;o-vitamNEWAMPERSANDiacute;nico, Maori: Tupere, Haida: Uwii guuga, Afrikaans: Vaalhaai, Italian: Vaccotta, Czech: Žralok hejnovNEWAMPERSANDyacute;.

Linnaeus originally described the tope shark as Squalus galeus in 1758. However, this name was changed later that year to Galeorhinus galeus (Linnaeus, 1758). The genus Galeorhinus is derived from the Greek words NEWAMPERSANDquot;galeosNEWAMPERSANDquot; meaning a shark and NEWAMPERSANDquot;rhinosNEWAMPERSANDquot; which means nose. This species is a member of the Family Triakidae, also referred to as the houndsharks , that includes a total of 33 species.

Similar Species

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Members of the genus Galeorhinus

There are approximately 15 species in this genus:

G. affinis · G. antarcticus · G. canis · G. galeus (Eastern School Shark) · G. girardoti · G. huberensis · G. laevis · G. latus · G. lefevrei · G. minor · G. minutissimus · G. recticonus · G. ypresiensis · G. zygopterus · G. galeus

Bibliography

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