To some, it is known as the “blurred lantern shark.” In fact, Shirai and Tachikawa (1993) named it the “blurred smooth-dogfish;” the American Fisheries Society adopted the name, “blurred lantern shark” instead. However, Jose Castro suggests describing it as the “emerald lantern shark.” This is due to the bright emerald color that runs along its flanks. Otherwise, they’re completely black. Well, besides the photophores under their belly, which are blue in color. Scientifically known as Etmopterus bigelowi, this shark has two dorsal fins, each protected by a large spine. They have profound morphometric changes with growth: in both sexes the length of the trunk increases allometrically of the total length. They have cool denticles in that they are flat and have four points. They seem to be widely distributed, nearly cosmopolitan in warm, temperate waters. There was prior confusion with the smooth lanternshark, however. They have been identified in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, South Atlantic, Indian Ocean, central/western Pacific Ocean. They are small in size, with maximum lengths being 67 cm (males) and 65 cm (females). #Finfact: They are one of the largest lantern sharks! These lantern sharks like to lurk in deep water, from depths of 163 – 1000 m (49- 304 ft), but can sometimes be observed in shallower depths. They appear to feast on small fish and squid. Not much else is known about them, except that they are viviparous with yolk-sac. The IUCN has assessed this shark as Least Concern (LC). ever heard of this shark?glossary
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AuthorTFUI Founder Melissa C. Marquez is author of all animal bios and "Behind the Fins" segments. SEE MELISSA'S TEDx TALK HERE:
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