Gulf wobbegong [SEP] parent taxon
Gulf wobbegong
The Gulf wobbegong or banded wobbegong ("Orectolobus halei") is a species of carpet shark in the family Orectolobidae, found in southern Australia between Southport, Queensland and Norwegian Bay, Western Australia.
"Orectolobus halei" is very similar to the ornate wobbegong, "O. ornatus", of which it was treated as a synonym until 2006. Despite this, genetic evidence suggests that "O. halei" is more closely related to the largely sympatric spotted wobbegong, "O. maculatus", than either are
an alternative common name for the ornate wobbegong; however, it is also used for the Gulf wobbegong.
Description.
The ornate wobbegong's upperside is golden brown in colour with blueish-grey areas, and it is yellow-green on its underside. It has two dorsal fins, a large flat head, and small eyes. Its mouth and lower head are covered with flaps of skin. Juveniles are in total length and sexual maturity is reached at . Adults grow to on average, although large specimens have been