Broadnose sevengill cowshark

Identification

Broadnose sevengills are easily recognised by their seven pairs of gills (most modern-day sharks only have five pairs). They have a wide mouth and broad, blunt snout. The teeth on the lower jaw are large and comb-shaped, used for tearing prey; on the upper jaw, the teeth are sharp and jagged, more useful for keeping hold of prey. They have one dorsal fin, located quite far back on the body, over the pelvic fins. The broadnose can be distinguished from another similar species, the sharpnose sevengill shark (Heptranchias perlo) by the presence of black or white spots along the dorsal side. This ‘constellation’ of speckles is only found on broadnoses. The pattern is unique to individuals and therefore has proved useful in identification. 

Special Behaviour

Unlike their namesake, broadnose sevengill cowshark is perfectly adapted to life as an apex predator. They use a number of different tactics to hunt, including ambush strategies and direct burst speed attacks, where the shark puts on a sudden burst of speed to catch prey. They also have been observed hunting cooperatively to catch large prey, like seals and even other sharks. 

Broadnose sevengills show a high degree of site fidelity, meaning they return to the same areas every year. Although we are still learning about the ecology of this species, it is currently thought that they return to shallow coastal waters in spring and summer, then migrate out to continental shelves in winter. 

Reproduction

The reproductive strategy of broadnose sevengills is ovoviviparous, meaning the female produces eggs that hatch inside her and the young are effectively born live. The developing foetus gains nourishment from a yolk sac within the uterus. After a gestation period of one year, female broadnose sevengills will give birth to a litter of between 67 and 104 pups. Females then have a recovery year in between pregnancies. Males reach sexual maturity at 4 to 5 years; females at 11 to 21 years.

Habitat and geographical range

Broadnose sevengills are commonly found in shallow coastal waters, usually above 100 metres. They are widespread in temperate seas, ranging from the coastlines of south Alaska, California and Mexico in the east Pacific, Siberia and Japan to Australia and New Zealand in the west Pacific, and Namibia and South Africa in the south Atlantic and Indian oceans. They are absent from the north Atlantic and the tropics. 

Diet description

Broadnose sevengills are apex predators. Their diet consists of a range of marine invertebrates, including bony fish, marine mammals (mainly seals and small cetaceans) and other chondrichthyans. 

Threats

Because they occupy shallow, coastal waters and aggregate in large numbers, broadnose sevengills are vulnerable to a number of human-induced threats, the most predominant being overfishing. They are targeted directly for their meat, hide and liver oil, but are also indirectly caught as by-catch. Additionally, they are a popular aquarium species, and are caught specifically for display. Other known threats include the sport diving and tourism industries, especially in California and South Africa. 

Relationship with humans

Broadnose sevengills have rarely caused harm to humans. There are a few incidents where captive sharks have bitten divers or anglers and, in the wild, some verified reports of injuries to swimmers and dogs in the shallows. The main relationship between broadnose sevengills and humans is that of a resource; they are fished for their meat, liver oil and hide, as well as for display in aquaria. Large seasonal aggregations of sevengills are also an attraction for divers, given their often shallow locations.