Iceland Catshark Apristurus laurussonii is a small, deepwater shark that belongs to the catshark family, a group known for slender bodies and nocturnal habits. In its broad distribution this species has been documented from the northern Gulf of Mexico, across the western and eastern Atlantic, and into waters near the Canary Islands. It sits within the family Scyliorhinidae, which counts roughly 150 species, making it the largest shark family by species. Despite its compact size, several features help distinguish the Iceland Catshark from its relatives: a streamlined, eel‑like form, a pointed snout, and the characteristic spotted or patterned skin that helps it blend into the seafloor. Adults typically reach about 2.5 feet in length, a size that allows it to slip through crevices and along rocky bottoms where it hunts for prey. Scientists note that these small sharks live largely hidden lives, often sheltering in crevices and dark corners where standard surveys can miss them, which means their true geographic range is still being revealed. Recent deep‑sea expeditions and targeted sampling have begun to show a broader distribution, including discoveries in polar-adjacent waters off Greenland. Researchers point out that the expansion of deep‑sea exploration—driven by fishing activity and better gear—brings new life forms to light and reshapes what is known about where this species can survive. The Iceland Catshark is part of a very large, diverse family that thrives in cold, high‑pressure environments far below the surface, illustrating how even a modestly sized predator plays a role in deepwater ecosystems.
HABITAT: The Iceland Catshark favors cold, deep habitats on the continental shelf and slope, commonly living on soft sediments or rocky bottoms at great depths. Its known range includes the Northern Gulf of Mexico, the western and eastern Atlantic, and waters near the Canary Islands, covering a spectrum of temperate to subtropical seas. In these dark depths it tends to remain close to shelter where it can lie in wait for worms, small fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. The diet is varied but typically features marine worms, small fish, lobsters, and crabs, with feeding patterns shifting with prey availability. Reproduction is oviparous, laying egg cases that attach to the bottom and hatch after a period of incubation, ensuring the young have a secure start in a world of predators. Over recent years scientists have observed shifts in deep-sea communities as fishing activity increases and research technologies improve, revealing how human activity can alter the structure of these ecosystems. While not large in size, the Iceland Catshark plays a role in its food web by both consuming smaller organisms and serving as prey for larger guests of the deep, a reminder of the interconnected nature of life in the deepest parts of the ocean. Ongoing scientific work continues to document its distribution, growth rates, and responses to environmental changes across the Atlantic, helping to build a clearer picture of how this species fits into a changing ocean.