Etmopterus cf brachyurus (Shorttail lanternshark)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates)  > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) > Chondrichthyes > Elasmobranchii > Squalomorphii > Squaliformes > Etmopteridae

Etmopterus cf brachyurus (Shorttail lanternshark) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A slim grey-brown lanternshark with conspicuous lines of rough denticles on the head and body. Underside of snout and abdomen abruptly black, with a narrow elongated black mark running above, in front and behind the pelvic fins.

Size

To 42 cm TL.

Range

Possibly entire coast, range tentative; also Western Pacific.

Habitat

Upper slope near bottom at 451-864 m.

Biology

Abundant. Bears 2 young per litter. Feeds mostly on mid-water bony fish including lightfish, lanternfish, and viperfish, also squid, octopus, shrimp, and brittle stars.

Human Impact

None.

Text by Leonard J.V. Compagno, David A. Ebert and Malcolm J. Smale