Catsharks are a group of Carchariniform sharks in the family Scyliorhinidae. There are about 80 known species of which the lesser-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) is just one. Dogfishes are a different group of Squaliform sharks from the family Squalidae and a common one around the UK is the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias). Some people will confuse the two groups and often the lesser-spotted catshark and other small sharks are lumped in together under the term ‘dogfish’. This is just an error, albeit a widespread one. It is the aquatic equivalent of calling every small bird you see a robin just because it is a smallish bird.
No they are different. The lesser-spotted catshark is Scyliorhinus, while the spiny dogfish is Squalus. Catsharks are actually more closely related to Great Whites than to dogfishes!
Comments
tibby08 commented on :
Are the two in the same genus?
Catshark commented on :
No they are different. The lesser-spotted catshark is Scyliorhinus, while the spiny dogfish is Squalus. Catsharks are actually more closely related to Great Whites than to dogfishes!
sbyrnes771 commented on :
Dogfishes are sharks?