Not just Shark
Pictures: Elasmodiver contains photos of sharks, skates, rays, and
chimaera's from around the world. It began as a simple web based
field guide to help divers find the best places to encounter
different species of sharks and rays but it has slowly evolved into
a much larger project containing information on all aspects of shark
diving and photography. There are now more than a thousand shark
pictures and sections on shark evolution, biology, and
conservation. There is a large library of reviewed shark books, a
constantly outdated shark taxonomy page, a monster list of shark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:
If you're looking
for a broader range of marine life pictures the following links
represent a new area of elasmodiver.com that contains pictures of
other marine organisms and of marine habitats. This expansion of
Elasmodiver is in its first stages but will eventually include pages
on all types of marine mammals, bony fishes and marine invertebrates
as well as coastal habitats, reefscapes and other imagess relating
to the ocean. Please return regularly to enjoy the progress.
Identification:
Disc oval and with pelvic fins give an overall teardrop
body shape. 2 dorsal fins present spaced evenly along the tail and well
developed upper caudal. Caudal fins fan shaped. Dorsum brown with indistinct
blotches and conspicuous eyespot in centre. Area in front of eyes sometimes has
bolder markings in the form of symmetrical blotches. Ventrum pale.
Size: Length
7.9" max. 9.8"
Habitat:
Sandy areas near rocky reefs. From intertidal to 211ft.
Abundance and distribution:
From Panama to the Sea of Cortez.
Behavior:
Nocturnal. Moves over bottom at night, resting on fin tips.
Diet consists mainly of amphipods, shrimp, and worms.
Reproduction:
Ovoviviparous.
Observations:
Photographs:
Roca Sucia, las Islas Catalinas, Costa Rica.
Similar species:
Cortez electric ray. No eyespot.
Reaction to divers:
Easily approached. I found this species to be very
lethargic during the day allowing me to take close up photographs. No attempt
was made to shock.
Diving logistics:
Agua Rica Dive Shop runs charters out to the Catalinas.
Companies in Playas del Coco in the north also go to this group of small
islands. Also on the hit list in this area are whitetip reef sharks, schooling
Cownose rays, and Round stingrays.
Other diving locations submitted by readers:
References:
Fishbase
Scott W Michael - Reef Sharks and Rays of the
World
