Orectolobus ornatus
Ornate Wobbegong
©Lyle Vail: Ornate Wobbegong at Lizard Island
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Elasmobranchii
Order
Orectolobiformes
Family
Orectolobidae
Genus
Orectolobus
Species
Orectolobus ornatus
Colours
Distinguishing features
A broad, flattened, bottom-dwelling shark with 5 or 6 flap-like dermal lobes on each side of the head in front of the eye and none on the chin. Mottled brown and cream with irregular dark saddles edged with black between head and first dorsal fin. A small white spot is conspicuous behind each spiracle.
Size
- From 20 cm to 110 cm (Length of specimen) - applies to All
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Similar taxa
-
Animalia:
Tasselled Wobbegong (species: Eucrossorhinus dasypogon)
has a greater number of dermal lobes, they are more highly-branched, and they occur on the chin as well as on the sides of the head. Does not have white spots behind the spiracles.
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Local abundance
- Lizard Island: Very rarely seen.
Web resources
References
References that assist with identification
- Allen, G., R. Steene, P. Humann and N. Deloach (2003). Reef fish identification: Tropical Pacific New World Publications Inc., Jacksonville, FL, USA.
Other references
- Last, P.R. and J.D. Stevens (2009). Sharks and Rays of Australia.: 2nd Edition CSIRO Publishing, Australia.