E-Learning from Nature 2016-17 Classe 1A Liceo Scientifico “N. Rodolico” Prof. G. Lambardi, M. Tusa Prof.ssa Elena Cosi

Aquarium of Talamone Tuscany, Italy Dott.ssa Chiara Caruso (Responsible of Tartanet) Dott.ssa Lucia Venturi (President of Regional Park of Maremma) Dott. Sergio Ventrella (Tuscany Observatory of Biodiversity)

VERTEBRATES in the aquarium Chondrichthyes Chondrichthyes or cartilaginous fishes They are jawed vertebrates with a skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone. They have tough skin covered with dermal denticles or dermal teeth useful for protection and feeding. The class is divided in two subclasses: Elasmobranchii (sharks, rays, skates, and sawfish) and Holocephali (ghost sharks).

Scyliorhinus canicula, Linneus 1758 Elasmobranchii, Chondrichthyes Small-spotted catshark Gattuccio

It is one of the most abundant elasmobranchs in the Northeast Atlantic (from Norway to Senegal) and in Mediterranean Sea. It is found on the continental shelves in sandy, gravelly, or muddy bottoms from depths of a few metres down to 400 m. It can grow up to a length of 1 m, and it can weigh more than 2 kg. Their skin is rough, similar to a sandpaper with dermal denticles that assist in feeding, togheter with their strong jaws. It is an opportunistic species, preying on a wide variety of organisms. Dietary preferences change with age and body size. Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)

The egg case of sharks is commonly called mermaid’s pursue or devil’s pursue. Spawning can take place almost year round and fertilization is internal, but this species is oviparous. They laid egg cases, protected by a horny capsule, on macroalgae or benthic invertebrates. The long tendrils of eggs help them to stay in place. The embryos develop inside the case for 5–11 months depending on the sea temperature, and the young are born with a measurement of 9–10 cm.

The Red List of Threatened Species The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ provides a database with taxonomic, conservation status and distribution information on plants, fungi and animals on a global scale for the past 50 years. The species assessed in this List play a key role in the biodiversity preservation of their ecosystem. This commitment is aimed at providing the most objective, scientifically-based information on the current status of globally threatened biodiversity

The Red List of Threatened Species The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ highlights those species that are  Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable, in order to make informed decisions about conserving biodiversity from local to global levels. The database includes, on one hand, information on species that are already Extinct or Extinct in the Wild and, on the other hand, on species at low risk of extinction (Least Concern) or near a dangerous threshold and preserved with specific conservation programme ( Near Threatened).