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ANDY MURCH ELASMO GEEK

 

WHAT IS ELASMODIVER?

Not just a huge collection of Shark Pictures: Elasmodiver.com contains images of sharks, skates, rays, and a few chimaera's from around the world. Elasmodiver began as a simple web based shark field guide to help divers find the best places to encounter the different species of sharks and rays that live in shallow water but it has slowly evolved into a much larger project containing information on all aspects of shark diving and shark photography.

There are now more than 10,000 shark pictures  and sections on shark evolution, biology, and conservation. There is a large library of reviewed shark books, a constantly updated shark taxonomy page, a monster list of shark links, and deeper in the site there are numerous articles and stories about shark encounters. Elasmodiver is now so difficult to check for updates, that new information and pictures are listed on an Elasmodiver Updates Page that can be accessed here:

WHAT'S NEW?

Shark picture - green sawfish

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SPECKLED EPAULETTE SHARK

 

Photograph copyright Andy Murch all rights reserved.

View all available Speckled Epaulette Shark Pictures in the Shark Pictures Database

Common Names: Speckled epaulette shark, Speckled walking shark, Speckled carpet shark.

Binomial: Hemiscyllium trispeculare

Family: Hemiscylliidae

Identification: Long, cylindrical, eel-like body. Large ocelli ringed in white above pectoral fins. two to three large black spots forming crescent behind ocelli. Body banded with small spots (crazing) on a tan background.

Size: Maximum length 79cm.

Habitat:  Shallow coral reefs and tide pools. From 1 to 20m. 

Distribution: Northern Australia. Northern W.A. to Queensland. Possibly also north into Southern Indonesia.

Behavior:  Hides by day under corals venturing out at sunset to feed. Swims or walks along on its flexible pectoral and pelvic fins.

Reproduction: Oviparous.

Conservation Status: Listed as èLeast Concernè by the IUCN. Collection for the aquarium trade and bycatch from fishing activities in Australian waters place only minimal pressure on this species. Capture as bycatch in fisheries is likely low given its coral reef habitat. Effects of exploitation in Indonesia are unknown, but this species might be affected by destructive fishing practices and habitat loss if it occurs there

Photographs: Bandiggi Beach, Exmouth, Australia.

Similar species: Occelated epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum) Has far fewer spots.

Reaction to divers: Remains motionless relying on camoflage until closely approached then swims under coral heads.

Diving logistics: In W.A., Exmouth beaches with fringing coral reefs have a healthy population of epaulette sharks that can be encountered while snorkelling.

References and further reading:

Heupel, M.R. 2015. Hemiscyllium trispeculare. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T41820A68625409. 
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T41820A68625409.enDownloaded on 26 May 2018.
 

 

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