Cook, Neil D., Perry, Sarah L., Quigley, Declan T. G., Cable, Jo  ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8510-7055 and Perkins, Sarah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7457-2699
2025.
First record of a piebald leucistic smallspotted catshark Scyliorhinus canicula in a special area of conservation, UK.
Marine Biodiversity
55
, 112.
10.1007/s12526-025-01602-4
|
Preview |
PDF
- Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (843kB) | Preview |
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12526-025-01602-4
Abstract
Colour aberrations are widely reported in vertebrates, but seldom for elasmobranchs. Shark trophic level varies ontogenetically and according to species, so atypical colouration may have implications for ecological fitness both as predator and prey. Here, we present, to our knowledge, the first and only record of a piebald leucistic smallspotted catshark Scyliorhinus canicula from Welsh waters, specifically in the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation, UK. This adds to the five previous observations from the Irish and Mediterranean Seas. Sharks face numerous threats, including the physiological impacts of climate change. In this context, the prevalence and implications of leucism remain a knowledge gap.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Date Type: | Published Online |
| Status: | Published |
| Schools: | Schools > Biosciences |
| Publisher: | Springer Verlag (Germany) |
| ISSN: | 1867-1616 |
| Date of First Compliant Deposit: | 30 October 2025 |
| Date of Acceptance: | 29 October 2025 |
| Last Modified: | 24 Nov 2025 14:05 |
| URI: | https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/182008 |
Actions (repository staff only)
 |
Edit Item |
Altmetric
Altmetric