Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Vertebrae: 89. The prickly shark Echinorhinus cookei has thorn-like denticles on body which are moderately large (single denticles up to about 4mm in basal diameter in adults), numerous, regularly distributed, with scalloped basal margins, and never fused into compound plates. Grayish brown in color, with black distal fin margins; white around mouth and on ventral surface of snout. Tooth count 21-23/20-22. Total vertebrae 89; precaudal 59. As with the other member of the family Echinorhinidae, it has a relatively short snout and stout body; two small spineless dorsal fins, close together, towards posterior part of body and originating behind pelvic fin origin. No anal fin and subterminal notch on caudal fin. Small spiracles, very short labial furrows and teeth on both jaws alike, with a central oblique bladelike cusps with up to 3 cusplets on each side (absent in juveniles) (Ref. 247, 6871).

Common Names

No common names available.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Elasmobranchii

Order: Echinorhiniformes

Family: Echinorhinidae

Genus: Echinorhinus

Species: Echinorhinus cookei Pietschmann, 1928

Climate Zone

Location

Biology

A large, sluggish shark occurring on continental and insular shelves and upper slopes (Ref. 247). Feeds on a variety of fishes, other sharks, octopi and squids (Ref. 13564). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205), with up to 114 in a litter (Ref. 26346).

Habitat

benthopelagic