angelsharks
Flat ambush hunters
Angelsharks are a family of flat-bodied sharks that rest on the ocean floor, their wide pectoral fins giving them a wing-like appearance.
They ambush prey by lying camouflaged in sand or mud.
Several species are critically endangered due to fishing pressure.
Also called angel sharks or monkfish.
Composed of flexible connective tissue
Surprise strike from concealment
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- crypticObscure in meaning
- nocturnalActive during darkness
- sedentaryCharacterized by much sitting
lurk · concealment · stealth · patient · buried · strike · solitary · territorial
Of the sea bottom
- bottom-dwellerOrganism living on substrate
- seabedUnderwater terrain below
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- sandyFull of fine grains
sediment · continental shelf · coastal · temperate · Mediterranean · mudflat · shallow · buried
At extinction's edge
- overfishingUnsustainable marine harvest
- bycatchNon-target species caught accidentally
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- protectedKept from harm
extinct · decline · trawling · vulnerable · habitat loss · recovery
Finest taxonomic rank
- genusTaxonomic rank above species
- familyRelated people together
- monkfishEdible anglerfish species
- classificationSystematic grouping by traits
cartilaginous
Composed of flexible connective tissue
ventral · gills · fins · rostrum · spiracles · caudal · ampullae
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- crypticObscure in meaning
- nocturnalActive during darkness
sedentary · lurk · concealment · stealth · patient · buried · strike · solitary · territorial
benthic
Of the sea bottom
- bottom-dwellerOrganism living on substrate
- seabedUnderwater terrain below
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
sandy · sediment · continental shelf · coastal · temperate · Mediterranean · mudflat · shallow · buried
critically endangered
At extinction's edge
- overfishingUnsustainable marine harvest
- bycatchNon-target species caught accidentally
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
protected · extinct · decline · trawling · vulnerable · habitat loss · recovery
species
Finest taxonomic rank
angelsharksgreat white sharks
Large predatory ocean fish
mako sharks · blue sharks · thresher sharks · hammerhead sharks · tiger sharks
angelsharksrays
Lines from a source
skates · stingrays · manta rays · eagle rays · electric rays