Frog shark

{{Short description|Species of shark}} {{Speciesbox | name = Frog shark | status = DD | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Finucci, B. |author2=Francis, M.P. |author3=Tanaka, S. |date=2018 |title=''Somniosus longus'' |volume=2018 |article-number=e.T161552A116739120 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T161552A116739120.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref> | genus = Somniosus | species = longus | range_map = | range_map_caption = | authority = S. Tanaka (I), 1912 | synonyms = ''Heteroscymnus longus'' <small>Tanaka, 1912</small> }}

The '''frog shark''' (''Somniosus longus'') is a very rare species of squaliform shark mainly found in deep water in the Pacific Ocean. It is in the sleeper shark family Somniosidae, along with the Greenland shark.

==Description== The frog shark is known to grow to a maximum length of {{Convert|110|cm|abbr=on}} in males and {{Convert|130|cm|abbr=on}} in females. Previously classified in the same taxon as the similar ''Somniosus rostratus'', it is differentiated from ''S. rostratus'' in having a longer second dorsal fin, a slightly larger eye, more rows of teeth and a greater spiral valve count.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Yano |first1=Kazunari |last2=Stevens |first2=John D. |last3=Compagno |first3=Leonard J. V. |name-list-style=amp |title=A review of the systematics of the sleeper shark genus ''Somniosus'' with redescriptions of ''Somniosus'' (''Somniosus'') ''antarcticus'' and ''Somniosus'' (''Rhinoscymnus'') ''longus'' (Squaliformes: Somniosidae) |journal=Ichthyological Research |date=2004 |volume=51 |issue=4 |pages=360–373 |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10228-004-0244-4 |doi=10.1007/s10228-004-0244-4|bibcode=2004IchtR..51..360Y |s2cid=38054192 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Range== Fewer than a dozen specimens of this deepwater shark have been collected, mostly from the Pacific Ocean. The frog shark has been recorded off the coasts of Japan, New Zealand, and possibly Salas y Gómez, as well as the Nazca Ridge, from as shallow as 120–150 m and as deep as 1,116 m.<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" />

==Threats== The frog shark is occasionally caught by trawl, longline, and crab pot fisheries. As of 2015, no current conservation efforts are in place.<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" /> In June 2018 the New Zealand Department of Conservation classified the frog shark as "Data Deficient" with the qualifier "Uncertain whether Secure Overseas" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/science-and-technical/nztcs23entire.pdf|title=Conservation status of New Zealand chondrichthyans (chimaeras, sharks and rays), 2016|last1=Duffy|first1=Clinton A. J.|last2=Francis|first2=Malcolm|last3=Dunn|first3=M. R.|last4=Finucci|first4=Brit|last5=Ford|first5=Richard|last6=Hitchmough|first6=Rod|last7=Rolfe|first7=Jeremy |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Department of Conservation|year=2018|isbn=978-1-988514-62-8|location=Wellington, New Zealand|pages=11|oclc=1042901090}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

frog shark Category:Fish of the Pacific Ocean Category:Fish of Japan Category:Marine fish of New Zealand frog shark Category:Taxa named by Shigeho Tanaka