Living naked: first case of lack of skin-related structures in an elasmobranch, the blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus)

Mulas A.;Bellodi A.;Porcu C.;Cau A.;Coluccia E.;Demurtas R.;Marongiu M. F.;Pesci P.;Follesa M. C.

2020-01-01

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Abstract

As far as is known, in this paper the first case of lacking of skin-related structures (epidermis, stratum laxum, dermal denticles and teeth) in a free-swimming elasmobranch, the blackmouth catshark, Galeus melastomus, is reported. The individual was caught by trawl in Sardinian waters (central-western Mediterranean) in July 2019 at a depth of 500 m. Although this kind of morphological abnormality is potentially fatal, the observations suggested that the specimen was in good health and well developed.