Living naked: first case of lack of skin‐related structures in an elasmobranch, the blackmouth catshark ( Galeus melastomus )

Abstract

As far as is known, in this paper the first case of lacking of skin‐related structures (epidermis, stratum laxum , dermal denticles and teeth) in a free‐swimming elasmobranch, the blackmouth catshark, Galeus melastomus , is reported. The individual was caught by trawl in Sardinian waters (central‐western Mediterranean) in July 2019 at a depth of 500 m. Although this kind of morphological abnormality is potentially fatal, the observations suggested that the specimen was in good health and well developed.

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