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The ocellated angelshark (Squatina tergocellatoides Chen, 1963) is a threatened shark within the family Squatinidae. In the present study, we reported the mitochondrial genome sequence of the ocellated angelshark. The complete mitochondrial genome is 16,683 bp in length and contains 37 mitochondrial genes and a control region as similar to most fishes. In addition, we constructed a maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree of S. tergocellatoides and its relative species. This work will provide molecular data for further studies on S. tergocellatoides.

Monsters, by the Latin definition of their name, are omens that portend turbulent times. The pamphlet A Relation of a terrible Monster called a Toad-fish, published in London in 1642, told of “a fiend, not a fish; at the least a monster, not an ordinary creature” which had become entangled in a fishing net and then put on display in London. The creature was described as resembling a giant toad, with a wide, toothy mouth and human characteristics of ribs, hands, and fingers. Discovery of the Thames monster instilled a sense of worry throughout the realm. The landing of the “Toad-fish” was linked in the tract to a bloody encounter that occurred between two well-known members of the British aristocracy fighting on opposing sides at the onset of the Civil War. The present paper describes how this vernacular publication was part of a flourishing of providential pamphlets in the 17th century wherein natural anomalies were invested with wider ecclesiastical and political meaning. Also undertaken herein is a review of various candidate species from which to suggest that the mysterious Toad-fish may have been another example of the angelshark’s (Squatina squatina) monstrous alter ego. This is an animal that has previously been suggested as being responsible for the ‘sea monk’ noted in several prominent natural histories of the Renaissance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ocellated angelshark (Squatina tergocellatoides Chen, 1963) is a threatened shark within the family Squatinidae. In the present study, we reported the mitochondrial genome sequence of the ocellated angelshark. The complete mitochondrial genome is 16,683 bp in length and contains 37 mitochondrial genes and a control region as similar to most fishes. In addition, we constructed a maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree of S. tergocellatoides and its relative species. This work will provide molecular data for further studies on S. tergocellatoides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two species of cartilaginous fish, Squatina oculata Cuvier, 1829 and Squatina squatina (Linnaeus, 1758) were captured by a commercial bottom trawler at a depth of 110 m off Gökçeada Island, Northern Aegean Sea on 22 March 2018. S. oculata was a female specimen with a total length of 875 mm and a weight of 5.536 g. It contained a total of 6 symmetrically distributed developing oocytes ranging from 52.22 to 59.55 mm in diameter. S. squatina was a male specimen with a total length 915 mm and a weight of 6.294 g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All three species of angel sharks (genus Squatina) inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea are listed as Critically Endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species due to overexploitation.New records from Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Libya were collected from citizen‐scientists and integrated with local knowledge obtained using structured interviews in the four countries.Observations and reports, together with an analysis of the reconstructed fisheries data, resulted in the identification of areas of interest, a review of the illegal trade of the species and a debate about the credibility of fisheries data for assessing threatened and/or protected species.Unconventional sources of information, such as social media, were identified as important tools for monitoring rare and endangered marine wildlife.This work will contribute to promoting international cooperation for advancing angel shark conservation in line with the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Angel Shark Conservation Strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]