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Likely Additions to the Fauna
The Squaloidea of the world includes 17 genera and about 65 species (the exact number of species cannot be determined because many are unsatisfactorily known). The New Zealand representation of 10 genera and 14 species would, for most groups of fishes, be a satisfactory proportion, perhaps more than usually expected. However, as the Squaloidea are predominantly fishes of moderately deep-water, for the most part living on the continental slopes, the known New Zealand representation is by no means excessive. In fact, it seems more likely that additional species will be reported than the known fauna will remain at its present level. Some support is provided for this by the situation that just over half of the species at present recorded from New Zealand are known from five or less adult specimens of each. These species are listed below.
- Scymnodalatias sherwoodi (1 adult washed ashore).
- Echinorhinus brucus (1 adult).
- Echinorhinus cookei (3 adults, 3 juveniles).
- Centroscymnus owstonii (3 adults).
- Centroscymnus crepidater (4 adults with known data).
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- Etmopterus baxteri (3 adults, 9 juveniles).
- Etmopterus lucifer (5 adults).
- Centrophorus squamosus (2 adults, 8 juveniles).
It has been possible to forecast with a fair degree of accuracy which of the known species will be taken in line-fishing experiments down to 700 fathoms. However, in the relatively small amount of line-fishing so far done, the catches have included, sporadically, other squaloid species new to the fauna. There is as yet no reason to suspect that the same will not continue.
Until more is known of the distribution of deep-water squaloids in general, and the dispersal factors limiting or allowing their movement, there is not much to be gained in speculating as to which Indo-Pacific or Atlantic species are likely to be found in New Zealand waters. The recent additions to the New Zealand fauna of the north Pacific Centroscymnus owstonii and the north Atlantic C. crepidater, and the recognition of the New Zealand Deania and Centrophorus spp. as the north Pacific-Atlantic D. calcea and C. squamosus suggest that any of the deepwater species known elsewhere could be expected.
Somewhat firmer ground is available in the likelihood of additions from the known Australian fauna, particularly from southern and south-eastern Australia. The separation in distance and latitude, and the oceanographic continuity between these areas and New Zealand suggest no barrier. Moreover, in Cowper & Downie's (1957) recent account of lining off eastern Tasmania, several species are recorded which previously were known only from New Zealand, so it does not seem unreasonable to suppose that further fishing off New Zealand would show the converse. The following list of Australian squaloids based mainly on records and depth-ranges in Whitley (1940) and Cowper & Downie (1957) covers those species thought most likely to occur, at least as stragglers, in New Zealand also.
- Squalus megalops (Macleay, 1882) (0–400 fathoms).
- Deania quadrispinosa (McCulloch, 1915) (85–400 fathoms).
- Etmopterus brachyurus Smith & Radcliffe, 1912 (130–450 fathoms).
- Centrophorus scalpratus McCulloch, 1915 (70–450 fathoms).
- Centrophorus harrissoni McCulloch, 1915 (“deep water”).