Hemiscyllium galei, the Cenderawasih epaulette shark, is a species of bamboo shark in the family Hemiscylliidae. Together with H. henryi, it was only scientifically described in 2008 by Gerald R. Allen and Mark V. Erdmann.[2][3] At present, H. galei is only known from depths of 2 to 4 metres (6 ft 7 in to 13 ft 1 in) at reefs in the Cenderawasih Bay in West Papua, Indonesia.[2] The largest known specimen was 56.8 centimetres (22.4 in) long.[2] It can be separated from its relatives (e.g., H. freycineti) by the combination of seven relatively large dark spots along the side of the body (between the abdomen and tail-base), white markings on the edge of its dark dorsal saddles and other scattered white spots on the upper side.[2]
| Hemiscyllium galei | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Subdivision: | Selachimorpha |
| Order: | Orectolobiformes |
| Family: | Hemiscylliidae |
| Genus: | Hemiscyllium |
| Species: | H. galei |
| Binomial name | |
| Hemiscyllium galei G. R. Allen & Erdmann, 2008[2] | |
 | |
| Range of the Cenderwasih epaulette shark | |
Etymology
The shark is named in honor of underwater photographer and shark enthusiast Jeffrey Gale, who bid successfully to help conserve the species at a charity auction, and who then financially supported Conservation International's efforts to preserve its habitat.[4]
References
External links
- Michael, S. (May 13, 2008). New Epaulette Walking Sharks! Retrieved August 30, 2011.