#etmopteridae

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

Can I offer you a dwarf lanternshark in this trying time? This species of shark is the smallest in the world, at only 20 cm (8 in) long, and is found at depths of 283–439 m (928–1,440 ft). The dwarf lanternshark gets its name for its ability to produce light from a series of f light-producing photophores along its back, which may help it to attract prey or disorient predators.

(Image: A researcher holding a dwarf lanternshark (Etmopterus perryi) by Javontae Murphy)

If you send me proof that you’ve made a donation to UNRWA or another organization benefiting Palestinians, I’ll make art of any animal of your choosing.

[oceansoftheworld]

Photo by Rudolf Svensen | Info

The velvet belly lanternshark (Etmopterus spinax) is a species of dogfish shark in the family Etmopteridae. One of the most common deepwater sharks in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, the velvet belly is found from Iceland and Norway to Gabon and South Africa at a depth of 20–2,490 m (66–8,169 ft). A small shark is generally no more than 45 cm (18 in) long. The velvet belly is so named because its black underside is abruptly distinct from the brown coloration on the rest of its body. The body of this species is fairly stout, with a moderately long snout and tail, and very small gill slits. Like other lanternsharks, the velvet belly is bioluminescent, with light-emitting photophores forming a species-specific pattern over its flanks and abdomen. The ventral photophores are thought to function in counter-illumination, which camouflages the shark against predators and prey.

Young velvet bellies feed mainly on krill and small bony fish, transitioning to squid and shrimp as they grow larger. There is evidence that individuals also move into deeper water as they age. This species exhibits a number of adaptations to living in the deep sea, such as specialized T-cells and liver proteins for dealing with the higher concentrations of heavy metals found there. Velvet bellies often carry a heavy parasite load. It is ovoviviparous, giving birth to litters of six to 20 young every two to three years.

[todropscience]

TWO NEW ELASMOBRANCH SPECIES FROM PAPUA NEW GUINEA

The deepwater chondrichthyan fauna of Papua New Guinea is very poorly understood, despite its rich biodiversity. But recent surveys conducted between 2010 and 2014 by the RV Alis have provided new records of shark and ray species from this region.

Collected during the 2012 expedition off Madang, and reported as softnose skate (Insentiraja subtilispinosa), recent examination of these specimens revealed that they actually represent an undescribed species, recently named Papuan velvet skate (Notoraja sereti), belonging to a subgroup known as the ‘velcro skates’ (because they are covered dorsally and ventrally with fine spinular denticles). This species represents the only species of softnose skate (Family Arhynchobatidae) currently known to occur in Papua New Guinea.

- The Papuan Velvet Skate (Notoraja sereti), lives at depths of 800–980 m.

Also, examination of lantern sharks collected during these surveys (currently housed in Taiwanese fish collections) showed a new species. One of the lantern shark were mistakenly identified at first as Etmopterus brachyurus, but upon detailed examination were determined to represent an undescribed species based on several differences in key characteristics. Furthermore, DNA sequence analysis also confirmed a new species. The new species called Papuan lanternshark (Etmopterus samadiae) is known from off the northern Papua New Guinea mainland, from west of Kairiru Island in East Sepik Province to off Lae in the Huon Gulf (Morobe Province) and at a depth range of 340 to 785 m. 

- Lateral view of Etmopterus samadiae, adult male fresh and post-preservation (click to enlarge)

White et al., 2017 A new species of velvet skate, Notoraja sereti n.sp. (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae) from Papua New Guinea. Zootaxa.

White et al., 2017. Etmopterus samadiae n. sp., a new lanternshark (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae) from Papua New Guinea. Zootaxa

[todropscience]

SHARK ALERT: A new species of lanternshark is discovered!!

Named Laila's Lanternshark (Etmopterus lailae) after Laila Mostello-Wetherbee, shark enthusiast and daughter of coauthor Brad Wetherbee, is described from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, in the central North Pacific Ocean. 

The new species resembles other members of the “Etmopterus lucifer” clade in having linear rows of dermal denticles, and most closely resembles  lucifer shark E. lucifer from Japan. The Laila's Lanternshark occurs along insular slopes around seamounts at depths between 314–384 m. 

The lanternsharks (genus Etmopterus) is one of the most species rich shark genera with approximately 38 species, of which 11 have been described since 2002. Their name comes from the presence of light-producing photophores on their bodies.

Photo: An immature male, sadly the only one photo available of this new species.

Reference: Ebert et al., 2017 Etmopterus lailae sp. nov., a new lanternshark (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae) from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Zootaxa, 4237 (2): 371–382

[todropscience]

This opalescent shark is the Whitecheek Lanternshark (Etmopterus alphus), a new species of lanternshark from the southwestern Indian Ocean. The eastern Pacific Ocean Ninja Lanternshark (E. benchleyi), discovered in 2015, now has a new sibling from the Indian Ocean.

The new species is fairly common along the upper continental slopes off central Mozambique, at depths between 472 and 558 m, and is also found on the southern Madagascar Ridge in 650–792 m depth.  

Photo: Adult female paratype (340 mm total length) before preservation.

Ebert et al. 2016. Etmopterus alphus n. sp.: a new lanternshark (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae) from the south-western Indian Ocean.  African Journal of Marine Science

[todropscience]

RARO PERCEBE SE ALIMENTA DE TIBURONES LINTERNA DE AGUAS PROFUNDAS 

Anelasma squalicola es un percebe (cirrípedios o picorocos) que se encuentra adherido de forma parásita a tiburones de aguas profundas de la familia Etmopteridae -conocidos como tiburones linterna- y es el único cirrípedo conocida que hospeda en peces. A pesar de que es interesante y sumamente aberrante, esta crustáceo rara vez se ha estudiado desde que apareció por primera vez en la literatura científica en 1973.

Este raro percebe carece de un caparazón rígido. Su cirros están todavía allí, pero son pequeñas e inútiles para la alimentación. Tiene una boca y el intestino, pero nunca hay nada en ellos, porque es un percebe parásita que se alimenta de los tiburones, por la fijación de sí mismo a sus flancos y el drenaje de los nutrientes de las carnes de ellos.

Dos percebes en sección transversal: Analesma (izquierda) y Lepas (derecha). Ci = cirros; m = boca; pd = pedúnculo; r = raicillas; ma = manto. El pedúnculo en Analesma está modificado, lo utiliza para anclarse en la carne. Una vez fijado, absorbe nutrientes a través de la “raíces filamentosas” que posee Rees et al, 2014, Current Biology. Lo que es más sorprendente es que este parásito A. squalicola se incrustan parcialmente en la carne del huésped, y parece retardar el desarrollo sexual de sus anfitriones, castrando de alguna forma al tiburón.

Fotografía principal: Tiburon linternal de vientre terciopelo (Etmopterus spinax)  con tres especímenes del percebe (A. squalicola) incrustrado en la base de la primera aleta dorsal. 

Referencia (acceso abierto): Ommundsen et al. 2016.  Caught in the act: phenotypic consequences of a recent shift in feeding strategy of the shark barnacle Anelasma squalicola (Lovén, 1844). Zoomorphology

English version

[todropscience]

MEET THE NINJA LANTERNSHARK - A NEW LITTLE SHARK FROM THE PACIFIC COAST OF CENTRAL AMERICAL

The genus Etmopterus is one of the most species-rich genera of sharks with 37 valid species to date. Since 2002, ten new Etmopterus species have been described. Most of these new Etmopterus species were from the Indian and western Pacific Oceans and southern Africa. But records of Etmopterus species from the eastern Pacific Ocean are generally few and scattered, with possibly eight species occurring in the southeastern Pacific Ocean off Chile, but no species confirmed for the central or northern part of the eastern Pacific Ocean. Recently, however, a survey conducted by the Spanish research vessel Miguel Oliver off the Pacific coast of Central America in 2010 collected several Etmopterus specimens that appeared distinct from all other known species of this genus and are described, at the end of 2015 as a new species. 

It is the fifth species of shark to be discovered in 2015.

The species is named in honor of Peter Benchley, author of Jaws and subsequently an avid shark conservationist. His legacy, the Benchley Awards, recognizes outstanding achievements in ocean conservation. In line with Mr. Benchley’s outreach efforts, the privilege of deciding a common name for this species was bestowed upon four young shark enthusiasts, ages 8 to 14, and relatives of the first author, Vicky Elena Vásquez

 The suggested common name, the Ninja Lanternshark, refers to the uniform black coloration and reduced photophore complement used as concealment in this species, somewhat reminiscent of the typical outfit and stealthy behavior of a Japanese ninja

Photo: Etmopterus benchleyi adult female fresh specimen.

This silly picture by Vicky is a nod to Peter Benchley. But don't be scared of this shark, it could fit in your hand! That means if the image below were drawn to scale, the woman in the photo would have to be smaller than your toe!

See the other discovered sharks this year.  Dusky Snout Catshark,  Spotted-belly catshark,  Spotted-belly catshark  and the Narrowhead catshark   

Reference (Open access): Vásquez et al. 2015 Etmopterus benchleyi n. sp., a new lanternshark (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae) from the central eastern Pacific Ocean. Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation