Marbled ghost shark

5/1/2017

Hydrolagus marmoratus. Source: CSIRO National Fish Collection. License: CC BY Attribution

The Marbled ghost shark (Hydrolagus marmoratus) is a shortnose ghost shark with deciduous skin that is uniformly dusky. With light and dark reticulations on its flanks, this ghost shark can be observed on the continental slope off eastern Australia (Queensland to New South Wales region).

These ghost sharks have slender claspers and a short tail, as well as a first dorsal fin that is also dark in colour but has a pale base. This small animal gets up to about 53 cm in length. Like many ghost sharks, their diet and reproduction methods are unknown. The IUCN has assessed this species as Least Concern (LC).

ever heard of this chimaera?

glossary

Claspers: Sexual reproduction organs found on male elasmobranchs and chimaeras.
Continental shelf: Extends from a continent underwater, resulting in a shallow-water area.
Continental slope: The steep slope from a continental shelf to the ocean floor; usually around 20 km (12.4 miles) wide and made up of mud and silt substrate. It is an ideal area for deep sea fishing.
Dorsal fin: Fin located on the back.
Flank: Sides of the animal.
IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Reticulation: A pattern or arrangement of interlacing lines resembling a net.