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 | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Chondrichthyes |
Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
Subdivision: | Selachimorpha |
Order: | Orectolobiformes |
Family: | Hemiscylliidae |
Genus: | Hemiscyllium |
Species: | H. galei
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Binomial name | |
Hemiscyllium galei G. R. Allen & Erdmann, 2008[2]
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Range of the Cenderwasih epaulette shark |
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]