1. Order: Orectolobiformes Family: Orectolobidae (Wobbegongs) Etymology: Greek, oryktos= to digger + Greek, lobos= lobe

2. Taxonomy Eucrossorhinus –E. dasypogon (tasselled wobbegong) Sutorectus –S. tentaculatus (Cobbler wobbegong) Orectolobus –O. wardi (Northern wobbegong) –O. maculatus (Spotted wobbegong) –O. ornatus (Ornate wobbegong) –O. japonicus (Japanese wobbegong) –O. hutchinsi (Western wobbegong-2006) 3 genera, 7 species

3. General Characteristics Small-large (60 cm-3.7 m) 2 spineless dorsals Broad, flat head w/ unique dermal flap (obscure outline)

4. General Characteristics Long pointed or branched barbells Highly developed color pattern- well camouflaged Spiracle larger than the eyes 3 rows of sharp teeth upper and 2 lower

6. Diagnostic Features usually distinguished by barbells (branched/unbranched), coloration, and dermal lobes Eucrossorhinus dasypogon- Tasselled wobbegong –Highly branched dermal lobes –Dorsal w/narrow dark lines on light background –Scattered dots at junction lines

7. Orectolobus wardi- Northern wobbegong –Barbels not branched –2-3 dermal lobes in front of eyes –Simple color pattern, rounded saddles on back

8. Orectolobus maculatus- Spotted wobbegong –Branched barbels –6-10 dermal lobes –Color pattern w/ elaborate spots & saddles

9. Orectolobus ornarus- Ornate wobbegong – a few branches on barbels –~5 dermal lobes –Back w/ light areas btwn. dark saddles –Saddles w/ spots, borders dark

10. Orectolobus japonicus- Japanese wobbegong –Basally branched barbels –~5 dermal lobes –Back w/ light areas btwn. dark saddles but borders not black edged

11. Orectolobus hutchinsi- Western wobbegong –unbranched barbels –4 dermal lobes –Dark brown saddles, no white spots

12. Habitat/Distribution Inshore/offshore rocky bottoms- common on coral reefs or sandy bottom (cryptic coloration) Intertidal zone to 110m Endemic to warm-temperate/ tropical continental waters of W. Pacific Most diverse in Australia & New Guinea to Japan

13. Biology/Food Habits Sluggish, move very little Walk along bottom using paired fins? Can climb out of water to move btwn. tidepools? Heavy jaws & sharp teeth make them powerful bottom predators Feed on bottom fishes, crabs, lobster, octopi & others Have bitten humans when stepped on

14. Commercial Value/Conservation Colorful skin used for leather Food value in Australia, China, Japan, & Malaysia Regularly kept in aquaria, have bred in captivity 3 near threatened species: –Tasselled wobbegong –Spotted wobbegong –Ornate wobbegong

15. Bibliography Carrier, J., Musick, J., & Heithaus, M. (2004). Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. p. 67 Compagno, L.J. (1984). FAO species catalogue. Vol. 4. Sharks of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 1- Hexanchiformes to Lamniformes. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(4/1): 147-160. Last, P., Childrow, J., & Compagno, L.J. (2006) A new wobbegong shark, Orectolobus hutchinsi n. sp. (Orectolobifomres: Orectolobidae) from southwestern Austalia. Zootaxa, (1239): 35-48.