The spelling of the word "Mustelus Norrisi" is a reflection of its scientific origin. "Mustelus" is the genus to which this species of shark belongs, while "Norrisi" honors renowned shark biologist Richard Norris. In terms of pronunciation, "Mustelus" is pronounced /mʌsˈtiːləs/, stressing on the first syllable, and "Norrisi" is pronounced /ˈnɒrɪsiː/, stressing on the second syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription helps to accurately convey the pronunciation of scientific names which often have Latin or Greek roots.
Mustelus norrisi is a species of shark belonging to the family Triakidae. It is commonly known as the Norris' smooth-hound or Southern smooth-hound and is found in the coastal waters of Southern Africa, particularly off South Africa and Namibia. This medium-sized shark typically measures around 1.3 meters in length and possesses a slender, streamlined body with a fusiform shape.
The Mustelus norrisi is characterized by its smooth skin, which lacks the presence of dermal denticles. Its upper body coloration ranges from gray to brown, and it often displays a white underside. This species relies on its large, oval-shaped eyes and keen senses to navigate its habitat and locate prey. Norris' smooth-hound primarily feeds on small coastal fish and various crustaceans.
Regarding reproduction, this shark species is viviparous, meaning the embryos develop within the female and are nourished by a placental connection. The gestation period lasts up to 11 months, after which the female gives birth to live young. Mustelus norrisi is generally considered to be harmless to humans and its presence serves an important ecological role in maintaining coastal marine ecosystems. Conservation efforts are necessary to sustain populations of Mustelus norrisi due to potential threats such as overfishing and habitat degradation.
The etymology of the word "Mustelus norrisi" can be broken down as follows:
1. Mustelus: Mustelus is the genus name for a group of sharks commonly known as smooth-hounds. The name Mustelus is derived from the Latin word "mustela" which means "weasel". This name was given to these sharks because of their elongated bodies and tapering tails, resembling the shape of a weasel.
2. norrisi: The species name "norrisi" is a Latinized form of the surname "Norris". It is named after Richard Norris, an American ichthyologist who specialized in sharks. He made significant contributions to the understanding of shark taxonomy and was particularly interested in the smooth-hounds.