- Blackbelly lanternshark
Taxobox
name = Blackbelly lanternshark
status =
status_system =
image_caption = Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling
regnum =Animalia
phylum =Chordata
classis =Chondrichthyes
subclassis =Elasmobranchii
ordo =Squaliformes
familia =Dalatiidae
genus = "Etmopterus"
species = "E. lucifer"
range_
range_map_width = 200px
range_map_caption = Range of the blackbelly lanternshark (in blue)
binomial = "Etmopterus lucifer"
binomial_authority = Jordan & Snyder, 1902 The blackbelly lanternshark or lucifer shark, "Etmopterus lucifer", is a shark of the familyDalatiidae , found circumglobally in tropical, subtropical and temperate seas, at depths of between 150 and 1,250 m. Its length is up to 47 cm.The blackbelly lanternshark has a pointed, slightly upturned snout and a spine in front of each of two
dorsal fin s the second of which is larger than the first. Thepelvic fin s are also larger than the pectorals.Dermal denticle s shaped like curving erect spines are arranged in conspicuous longitudinal rows. The upper jaw teeth are separate and sharply pointed - the lower are set broad and overlapping to form a continuous cutting edge.The belly is black and contains a dense array of small
photophore s emitting green light. The flanks and back are dark grey and there is an abrupt colour division with the black underside.They feed on
squid , smallbony fish andshrimp .Blackbelly lanternsharks are ovoviviparous.
References
*
* Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, "Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand", (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand1982 ) ISBN 0-00-216987-8
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