Description

This species is distinguished by its unique colour pattern, distinctive is the combination of small scattered spots on the head, body and fins including 13-18 spots on the interorbital/dorsal snout region and 6-18 spots on dorsal surface of pectoral fins; a unique 'double-ocellus' marking on middle of side, just behind the head (Ref. 74956).

Common Names

No common names available.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Elasmobranchii

Order: Orectolobiformes

Family: Hemiscylliidae

Genus: Hemiscyllium

Species: Hemiscyllium henryi Allen & Erdmann, 2008

Climate Zone

Location

Biology

Observed and collected both in the bay and at nearby Selat Iris, a narrow channel between the mainland and Aiduma Island; where there is almost no shallow, fringing reef habitat due to the unique geomorphology. Thus, the typical habitat for this species extends into deeper water (at least 30 m), although it has also been sighted in depths less than 4 m. It is often seen resting on the bottom, occasionally observed slowly swimming or 'walking' over the bottom with the pectoral and pelvic fins. Generally sedentary during the day, sheltering under rocky outcrops or tabular corals (Ref. 74956).

Habitat

associated