Squatina argentina

Squatina argentina, commonly known as the Argentine angelshark, is a critically endangered species of angelshark endemic to the southwestern Atlantic Ocean along the coasts of Argentina and southern Brazil. This bottom-dwelling elasmobranch is characterized by its flattened body and broad pectoral fins that give it a ray-like appearance, though it remains taxonomically a shark. The species inhabits continental shelf waters, typically found on sandy and muddy substrates where it employs ambush predation techniques to capture prey including small fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods.

The Argentine angelshark has experienced severe population declines primarily due to intensive commercial fishing activities in its limited range. As a demersal species with slow reproductive rates, it is particularly vulnerable to overexploitation through bottom trawling and gillnet fisheries that operate throughout its habitat. The species' restricted geographic distribution compounds these threats, as localized fishing pressure can rapidly impact the entire population.

Bycatch mortality in commercial fisheries targeting other species represents an ongoing threat, as angelsharks are often discarded dead or dying when caught incidentally. Conservation efforts for Squatina argentina remain limited, though the species benefits from some fishing restrictions within Argentine waters. Research initiatives focused on population assessment and habitat mapping are essential for developing effective conservation strategies.

International cooperation between Argentina and Brazil is crucial for the species' recovery, given its transboundary distribution and the need for coordinated fisheries management across its range.

Squatina argentina inhabits continental shelf waters of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, typically found on sandy and muddy bottom substrates. The species occurs in coastal and offshore waters along the Argentine and southern Brazilian coasts, where it remains buried in sediment as an ambush predator.