Etmopterus sentosus (Thorny lanternshark)

Bass, D'Aubrey & Kistnasamy, 1976

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

Etmopterus sentosus (Thorny lanternshark) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A slim grey-black lanternshark with 2 or 3 longitudinal rows of greatly enlarged hooked denticles on its flanks, other denticles small, conical, and not arranged in lines. Colour greyish-black above and below, with underside of snout and abdomen black, an elongated broad black mark running above, in front and behind the pelvic fins, and elongated black marks at the caudal fin base and along its axis.

Size

To at least 27 cm TL (immature male).

Range

East coast, Natal and Mozambique; also north to Madagascar, Kenya and Tanzania.

Habitat

Upper slope, 200 to 500 m on or near the bottom.

Biology

Virtually unknown.

Human Impact

None.

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