Necklace carpetshark

The necklace carpetshark (Parascyllium variolatum), also known as the varied carpetshark, is a carpetshark of the family Parascylliidae endemic to the waters off Australia's southern coast between latitudes 37°S and 41°S. It is found near the ocean floor over sand, rock, coral reefs, and kelp and seagrass beds at depths down to 180 m (590 ft).[1] It is almost exclusively seen at night and spends the day hidden in caves or camouflaged on the ocean floor.[3]

Necklace carpetshark
The necklace carpetshark is usually found on or near the ocean floor.[1]
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Order:	Orectolobiformes
Family:	Parascylliidae
Genus:	Parascyllium
Species:	P. variolatum
Binomial name
Parascyllium variolatum (A. H. A. Duméril, 1853)
Range of necklace carpetshark (in blue)
Synonyms
Hemiscyllium variolatum Duméril, 1853 Parascyllium nuchalis McCoy, 1874[1]

With a slender, elongated body and a maximum length of only 0.91 m (3.0 ft) TL, it is harmless to humans. The tail is long, but difficult to tell apart from the rest of the shark. Its body is grey to brown in color with a broad black collar, from which it gets its name, and white spots along its body.[1] It has small spiracles and nostrils with short barbels, likely used for sensory purposes. It is often mistaken for a species of catshark, despite being more closely related to wobbegongs and nurse sharks.[3]

It is a nocturnal predator and feeds mostly on shellfish.[4] Reproduction is oviparous with females laying eggs with curled tendrils that anchor them to the ocean floor.[3] The embryos feed on yolk.[1]