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Blackbelly lanternshark (Etmopterus lucifer) fish species and information / pictures of Blackbelly lanternshark - Etmopterus lucifer

Blackbelly lanternshark (Etmopterus lucifer) fish species information

Scientific Name
Etmopterus lucifer

Common Name
Blackbelly lanternshark

Biology
Found on the outer continental and insular shelves and upper slopes (Ref. 247). Its luminescent belly may attract prey (Ref. 26346), which consists mainly of squid (reported to bite squid bigger than itself), small bony fishes, and shrimps (Ref. 247). Often caught in large schools which may suggest that the luminescence may also be used to keep the group together in the dark deep ocean (Ref. 26346). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205), size at birth about 15 cm (Ref. 6871).

Classification

Classified By
Jordan & Snyder, 1902
Class
Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)
Order
Bramble, Sleeper and Dogfish sharks (Squaliformes)
Family
Lantern sharks (Etmopteridae)

Distribution

Region
Southwest Atlantic
Distribution
Southwest Atlantic: Uruguay and Argentina. Also southern Brazil (Ref. 57911). Western Indian Ocean: Tanzania to South Africa. Western Pacific: Japan to New Zealand. Southeast Pacific: Amber Seamount. A small specimen from off the Kerguelen Islands needs to be verified. Some records probably based on Etmopterus molleri and Etmopterus brachyurus (Ref. 31367).
Range
40°N - 48°S

Environment

Climate
Deep-water
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
150 m
Depth To - meters
1250 m
Zone
benthopelagic
Environment
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 150 - 1250 m (Ref. 26346)
Trophic Level
4.15 s.e. 0.49 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
47.0 cm
Common Length
Unknown cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: of no interest
Vulnerability
Moderate vulnerability (40 of 100)
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Fec assumed to be
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Least Concern (LC)