Rhinochimaeridae (longnose chimaeras)
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Chimaeriformes > Rhinochimaeridae
Deep-water, pinkish-white to black chimaeras
with a long, straight, attenuated, pointed snout, low second dorsal
fin, large broad-based anal fin present or absent, and caudal fin
with its axis not raised or slightly raised above the body axis. 6
species, 4 in the area.
Species found in southern Africa
Harriotta raleighana (Narrownose chimaera) A dark-brown or blackish longnose chimaera with
a narrow, slightly flattened snout, blunt-edged ridged tooth plates,
short, broad pectoral fins, no anal fin, and a caudal fin without
tubercles on its upper edge and a long terminal filament. |
 |
Neoharriotta pinnata (Sicklefin chimaera) A dark brown longnose chimaera with a narrow,
slightly flattened snout, blunt-edged, ridged tooth plates short,
broad pectoral fins, a large curved anal fin, and a caudal fin
without tubercles on its upper edge and a short terminal filament. |
 |
Rhinochimaera
atlantica (Broadnose chimaera) A whitish to light brown longnose chimaera with
a long, narrow, moderately flattened, pointed snout, sharp-edged
smooth tooth plates, narrow pectoral fins, no anal fin, and a caudal
fin with a very short terminal filament and wide-spaced tubercles on
its upper edge in adults and large juveniles. |
 |
Rhinochimaera
africana (Paddlenose chimaera) A blackish-brown longnose chimaera with a
broad, greatly elongated, paddle-shaped snout, sharp-edged smooth
tooth plates, narrow pectoral fins, no anal fin, and a caudal fin
with a very short terminal filament and wide-spaced tubercles on its
upper edge. |
 |
Text by Leonard J.V. Compagno, David A. Ebert
and Malcolm J. Smale
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