Southern Sawshark, Pristiophorus nudipinnis

Plate 56, Figure 2. The Common Australian Saw-Fish, Pristiophorus nudipinnis (now known as the Southern Sawshark, Pristiophorus nudipinnis) found in Hobson's Bay

Southern Sawshark. Drawing - pencil and watercolour on paper
PZ 56.2 - Pristiophorus nudipinnis, Southern Sawshark. Drawing - pencil and watercolour on paper. Artist: Frederick Schoenfeld

The naked, or scaleless, portion of the fins, from which the specific name is derived, varies in different individuals, and is not, I think, a true character, as most of my specimens have the dorsal and the pectorals completely covered with scales, as in the other Sharks. There is a narrow ridge on each side of the ventral surface of the tail from half-way between ventral and second dorsal converging to anterior margin of lower lobe of caudal fin.

This Saw-fish is very common in Hobson's Bay, but it is now figured for the first time.