Henry’s Epaulette Shark: Hemiscyllium henryi

Family: Hemiscylliidae

Common name(s)

Henry’s Epaulette Shark, Triton Bay Epaulette Shark.

Identification

Elongated, slender body. Well developed pectoral and pelvic fins on fore-body (used partially for walking). Two equally sized dorsal fins on rear-body. Tail long and thin. Sub-terminal notch present.
Dorsal coloration similar to the common epaulette shark H. ocellatum but with a unique B shaped, double ocellus (eye-spot) just behind the gill area. Overall body light brown-tan with scattered small dark spots. Some spot groupings form leopard-like markings in larger animals. Dark patches along upper back with concentrations of dark spots, form 11-12 subtle saddles and bands along body and tail.
Ventrum pale.

Size

Maximum confirmed length 82cm.

Habitat

Shallow sandy bays and coral reefs. From 3 to 30m

Distribution

Endemic to the Triton Bay area in far eastern Indonesia. Apparently restricted to the channel between Aiduma Island and mainland West Papua but further surveys may show that Henry’s epaulette shark has a broader range in southern West Papua.

Conservation Status

NEAR THREATENED

The Triton Bay Epaulette Shark is threatened by fishing as well as habitat loss and degradation. It is taken by artisanal fishing by extensive gill netting down to 20 m (using a 10-cm mesh size), drift nets, handlining in 5–15 m depths, and by gleaning (collecting by hand or hand spear on intertidal reef flats at night). They are targeted for their meat and fins throughout their range, but more heavily in Kaimana region (M.V. Erdmann, unpub. data, 2020). It may also be collected for the aquarium trade.

Henry’s Epaulette Shark also experiences habitat degradation of reef flats due to road construction in the coastal zones and climate change throughout its range. Global climate change has already resulted in large-scale coral bleaching events at increasing frequency causing worldwide reef degradation since 1997. Almost all warm-water coral reefs are projected to suffer significant losses of area and local extinctions, even if global warming is limited to 1.5 ºC (IPCC Report, 2019).

Citation
VanderWright, W.J., Allen, G.R., Derrick, D., Dudgeon, C., Erdmann, V & Sianipar, A. 2020. Hemiscyllium henryi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T195437A124542411. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T195437A124542411.en. Downloaded on 30 December 2020.

Reproduction

Oviparous. Reproductive cycle poorly known.

Diet

Unknown. Probably benthic invertebrates.

Behavior

Nocturnal. Hides by day under corals venturing out at sunset to feed. Swims or ‘walks’ along on its flexible pectoral and pelvic fins. Wriggles through gaps in coral in search of prey or to seek protection.

Reaction to divers

Usually seen at night. May bolt when caught in a diver’s spotlight or remain motionless relying on camouflage.

Diving logistics

Although the region is seasonally visited by a handful of liveaboards, the best way to encounter Henry’s epaulette shark is to book a trip with Triton Bay Divers. This species can be found at night on their house reef in 3-5m depth.