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Hydrolagus melanophasma James, Ebert, Long & Didier, 2009 Eastern Pacific Black Ghostshark |
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photo by
Reyes, P. |
| Family: | Chimaeridae (Shortnose chimaeras or ratfishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 120 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | bathydemersal; marine; depth range 2 - 1720 m | |||
| Distribution: | Eastern Pacific Ocean: From Baja California, Mexico to Validivia, Chile. | |||
| Diagnosis: | A species of the genus Hydrolagus based on the absence of an anal fin. Hydrolagus melanophasma sp. nov. is distinguished from other chimaeroids by a blunt snout with minimal sloping from the orbit to the snout tip, a large slightly curved dorsal fin spine (25.9 % BDL) extending beyond first dorsal fin apex, and a long second dorsal fin (77.3–81.1% BDL) of uniform height throughout. The pectoral fins are large, reaching beyond the pelvic fin insertion when laid flat, trifid claspers forked for 27–27.8% of the total clasper length and the preopercular and oral lateral line canals branch separately or together from the infraorbital canal. Coloration after preservation is a uniform black with no distinct mottling or markings (Ref. 82286). | |||
| Biology: | ||||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 September 2019 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||