Shortnose Sawshark Jaw with Data ex Dr. Gordon Hubbell

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Shortnose Sawshark Jaw with Data (Pristiophorus nudipinnis)

Sawsharks are among the most visually arresting sharks in existence — and jaws don't get more distinctive than this. The toothed rostrum, the sensory barbels, the flattened profile — the Shortnose Sawshark is immediately recognizable to anyone who has spent time with sharks, and a prepared jaw with collection data is a centerpiece specimen, not a shelf filler. This one comes with the added weight of Dr. Gordon Hubbell's name behind it, from a collection built on selectivity and scientific integrity.

Species & Classification

• Scientific Name: Pristiophorus nudipinnis (Günther, 1870)
• Common Names: Shortnose Sawshark, Southern Sawshark, Saw Dog, Doggies
• Family: Pristiophoridae
• Order: Pristiophoriformes
• Etymology: nudipinnis refers to the largely scaleless, naked dorsal and pectoral fin surfaces — a key distinguishing feature noted in the original description

Biology & Physical Characteristics

• Body slightly compressed with a narrow rostrum (saw); two dorsal fins almost identical in size Wikipedia
• Dorsal side uniformly slate gray with few or no markings; ventral side pale white or cream Wikipedia
• Females reach approximately 124 cm (49 in); males around 110 cm (43 in) Wikipedia
• Barbels positioned closer to the mouth than to the tip of the rostrum — the easiest way to distinguish this species from the co-occurring Common Sawshark Wikipedia
• Depth range of 37–165 m; demersal and marine Shark-References
• Can live up to 9 years Wikipedia
• Females mature at 87 cm; males at 90 cm Sharkwater

Habitat & Distribution

• Endemic to southeastern Australian waters, from Eyre in the Great Australian Bight to Montague Island in New South Wales, including Tasmania Sharkwater
• Occurs on the inner continental shelf to depths of 110 m Sharkwater
• Distribution overlaps with that of the Common Sawshark, though it occurs less frequently Wikipedia
• Benthic in habit, associated with the seafloor over sandy and muddy substrates

Diet & Behavior

• Primarily feeds on benthic invertebrates and small bony fish Wikipedia
• Uses its barbels to detect life on the ocean floor, then paralyzes prey with its rostrum Wikipedia
• Unlike the Common Sawshark, the Shortnose Sawshark likely feeds mainly on fishes Wikipedia

Reproduction

• Ovoviviparous; gives birth biannually to litters of 7–14 pups Wikipedia
• Pups measure approximately 35 cm at birth Wikipedia
• Litter size rises linearly with maternal length Sharkwater

Conservation Status

• Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, owing to stable commercial catch rates, reduced Total Allowable Catch, and protection in Victorian waters Wikipedia
• The largest threat to the species is bycatch in gillnet operations Wikipedia
• Demersal otter trawl and Danish seining prohibited in 14 Commonwealth marine reserves overlapping its range Sharkwater
• Considered harmless to humans due to its habitat, size, and behavior

Misc. & Collector Facts

• The jaw of a sawshark is unlike any other shark jaw in a collection — the toothed rostrum is not part of the jaw itself, but the dentition and jaw structure are equally distinctive and scientifically informative
• The alternating large and small rostral teeth are a hallmark of the order Pristiophoriformes and immediately identify this specimen to order level at a glance
• Saw sharks reach a length of up to 5 feet and a weight of 18.7 lbs, with females tending to be slightly larger than males Wikipedia
• "With data" means collection locality, depth, and/or specimen documentation is included — important for distinguishing this species from the closely related Common Sawshark (P. cirratus)
• Dr. Gordon Hubbell provenance adds significant authentication and collectibility value
• Ideal for: sawshark and elasmobranch collectors, Australian shark specimen enthusiasts, natural history displays, museum-quality centerpiece specimens