O gênero Squalus no Brasil: caracterização do grupo megalops e determinação do status taxonômico das formas brasileiras

Abstract

Three species groups of Squalus from the Brazilian coast are defined and the megalops group is characterized. According to analysis of external morphology (pectoral fins shape, dorsal fins spines length in comparison with the high of these fins and position of pelvic fins in comparison with dorsal fins), dermal denticles, chondrocranium, vertebral column, dentition and claspers, it is demonstrated that southern species Squalus megalops (sensu Vooren, 1992), southeastern Squalus cubensis (sensu Figueiredo, 1977) and Squalus sp. (sensu Figueiredo, 1981), from central and southern Brazil, represents a single species, wherein Squalus sp. of the megalops group. The most important characters to define this species were external morphology, dermal denticles, chondrocranium and claspers. The study also indicated two aditional species occurs in Brazilian waters: Squalus acanthias and Squalus sp. of the blainvillei group.