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Squaliformes (Sleeper and dogfish sharks) >
Etmopteridae (Lantern sharks)
Etymology: Etmopterus: Greek, ethmos, -ou = sieve or ethmoides bone + Greek, pteron = wing, fin (Ref. 45335); pseudosqualiolus: From its similarity of general body shape with squaloid sharks.
More on authors: Last, Burgess & Séret.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 668 - 1170 m (Ref. 45056). Deep-water
Western Pacific: Norfolk Ridge and Lord Howe Ridge off New Caledonia.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 45.3 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 45056); 41.4 cm TL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Body cigar-shaped; deep head conical with a short bulbous snout; preoral length 7.3-8.2 % TL. Eye almost round with a small opalescent lunate patch on upper eyelid margin. Pectoral fins small, rear tip about cornea diameter in front of D2 origin. Dorsal and ventral coloration dark; white conspicuous pineal blotch small and triangular. Caudal peduncle short (14.8-16.6% TL). Upper teeth of mature males usually with 7 cusps, others 9-11, in separated rows; central cusps greatly expanded, about 2 times longer than those adjacent. Denticles small, with a single erected, slightly curved cusps, arranged in irregular rows. Anterior branch of pelvic marking long and slender, posterior branch truncated. Precaudal marking with very long finger-like extensions reaching to central caudal fin. Monospondylous centra 46-47 (Ref. 45056).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: oval.
Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Distinct pairing with embrace (Ref. 205).
Last, P., G.H. Burgess and B. Séret, 2002. Description of six new species of lantern-sharks of the genus Etmopterus (Squaloidea: Etmopteridae) from the Australasian region. Cybium 26(3):203-223. (Ref. 45056)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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