Cirrhigaleus asper (Merrett, 1973)

Roughskin Dogfish

Squalus asper Merrett, 1973: 94, fig. 1, pl. 1. Holotype: BMNH 1972.10.10.1. Type locality: Off Aldabra, Western Indian Ocean, 09°27'S, 46°23.5'E, depth 219 m.

Local synonymy: Squalus asper: Bass et al., 1976: 18, fig. 12, pl. 4; Compagno, 1984a: 114, fig.; Bass et al., 1986: 61, fig. 5.25; Compagno et al., 1989: 22, pl. Cirrhigaleus asper: Compagno, 1999: 114; Heemstra & Heemstra, 2004: 54; Compagno et al., 2005: 72, fig., pl. 2; Ebert, 2013: 54, fig. 52; Ebert et al., 2013 a: 74, fig., pl. 3; Ebert & Mostarda, 2013: 19, fig.; NPOA, 2013: 38; da Silva et al., 2015: 248; Ebert, 2015: 56, fig. 52; Ebert & van Hees, 2015: 144; Weigmann, 2016: 902.

South Africa voucher material: SAIAB 6037, SAIAB 6038, SAIAB 6040 [former ORI 2786], SAIAB 6092, SAIAB 25423, SAIAB 27027, SAIAB 31890, SAIAB 186460. SAIAB 188839.

South Africa distribution: Port Alfred (EC) to the KZN border with Mozambique.

Remarks: This species does not appear to be as common as several Squalus species in South Africa, but that may be due to misidentification with other dogfish species.

Conservation status: DD (2020).