OCTONAUTS DWARF LANTERN SHARK SKIN

There are 25–32 tooth rows in the upper jaw and 30–34 tooth rows in the lower jaw. The nares are large and preceded by poorly developed flaps of skin. The eyes are large, twice as long as high, with the anterior and posterior corners acute. It has a long, wide, flattened head comprising a fourth to a fifth of its total length. The dwarf lanternshark appears to reach a maximum length of about 20 cm (7.9 in) (female). This shark apparently inhabits the upper continental slope at a depth of 283–439 m (928–1,440 ft). Distribution and habitat Īt present, the dwarf lanternshark has been reported only from a small area of the Caribbean Sea off the coasts of Colombia and Venezuela, occurring between Barranquilla and Santa Marta, near the Guajira Peninsula, and between the Los Testigos Islands and Grenada. decacuspidatus) in having irregularly arranged, needle-shaped dermal denticles. gracilispinis), and combtooth lanternshark ( E. This species is grouped with the velvet belly lantern shark ( E. The type specimen is a 18.2 cm (7.2 in) long female caught in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Colombia.

Gilbert, and published their findings in a 1985 Copeia paper. They dubbed the new species in honor of noted shark biologist Perry W. Fish and Wildlife Service research ship Oregon in 1964. Burgess described the dwarf lanternshark from specimens collected via trawling by the U.S. The dwarf lanternshark is not significant to commercial fisheries, but could be threatened by mortality from bycatch the degree of impact from human activities on its population is unknown.Īmerican ichthyologists Stewart Springer and George H. Reproduction is aplacental viviparous, with females gestating two or three young at a time. Like other members of its genus, it is capable of producing light from a distinctive array of photophores. This species can be identified by its small size at maturity, long flattened head, and pattern of black ventral markings and a mid-dorsal line. It is known to be present only on the upper continental slopes off Colombia and Venezuela, at a depth of 283–439 m (928–1,440 ft). Hence the IUCN has classified this shark as “Least Concern” or “LC”.The dwarf lanternshark ( Etmopterus perryi) is a species of dogfish shark in the family Etmopteridae and is the smallest shark in the world, reaching a maximum known length of 20 cm (8 in). This shark has almost no interactions with humans, except getting caught as occasional bycatch. These help the sharks camouflage themselves against predators and attract prey towards themselves. Several black ventral markings are light-producing photophores, and others are pigment-containing chromatophores. Juvenile males mature at 6.3–6.9 inches and females around 6.1 inches. A litter has 2-3 pups around 2.2–2.4 inches long each. They show aplacental viviparity, where a yolk sac sustains the undeveloped young until they are born. They most likely use their bioluminescence to draw prey towards them. BehaviorĪs a deep sea species, their diet primarily consists of krill, shrimp, and small fish. They have been spotted at 928–1,440 ft depths on the upper continental shelf. Where do they liveĭwarf lanternsharks live in the Caribbean Sea, off the coasts of Colombia, including Barranquilla, Guajira Peninsula, and Santa Marta, Grenada, and the Los Testigos Islands in Venezuela. They are dark brown in color, with the ventral region having black spots and a black line along their backs.

OCTONAUTS DWARF LANTERN SHARK SKIN

The skin is covered with dermal denticles. On the short trunk, there are several fins, with the second dorsal fin being the largest. There are also small papillae and five gill slits. In contrast, females have only one lateral cusplet pair surrounding each main cusp. Sexual dimorphism exists in the teeth in the upper row, with a single cusp flanked by two pairs of smaller cusplets. Inside the mouth are 25–32 tooth rows in the upper jaw and 30–34 in the lower one. Its head consists of a fourth or fifth of the whole body of the shark. The largest specimen recorded was about 8.3 inches. These sharks only reach lengths of 6-8 inches, making them the smallest sharks in the entire world. Interactions with humans Dwarf Lanternshark Scientific Classification

Octonauts dwarf lantern shark