Abstract

A new species of heterodontiform shark is described from three specimens collected in the Gulf of Masira, Central Oman, at a depth of 72 m. A member of the genus Heterodontus, it differs from the eight currently recognized congeners in having four dark saddles distributed more or less equally along the head and body, relatively small, darkly pigmented dorsal fins, each with a white distal streak, large pectoral fins, and a unique egg case, with two long tendrils extending from its base and flanges with two turns.