Eastern Pacific Black Ghostshark (Hydrolagus melanophasma)

Scientific name: Hydrolagus melanophasma James, Ebert, Long & Didier, 2009

Eastern Pacific Black Ghostshark (Hydrolagus melanophasma)

The Eastern Pacific Black Ghostshark (Hydrolagus melanophasma) is a marine fish of the family Chimaeridae. Native range: Eastern Pacific Ocean, Baja California, Mexico.

Biology

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 extending beyond first dorsal fin apex, and a long second dorsal fin 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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Hydrolagus melanophasma
Family
Chimaeridae (Shortnose chimaeras or ratfishes)
Order
Chimaeriformes (Chimaeras)
Class
Holocephali (Chimaeras)
Maximum length
120
Depth range
577–1400 m (1893–4593 ft)
Environment
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 577 - 1400 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Eastern Pacific Ocean: Baja California, Mexico.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries:

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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