Dwarf lanternshark

Dwarf lanternshark ( Etmopterus perryi )

The dwarf lanternshark ( Etmopterus perryi ) is a species of the genus Etmopterus within the lantern sharks ( Etmopterinae; classified as family Etmopteridae ). With only 16 to 20 centimeters in body length and a weight of 150 grams, it is considered next to the Cylindrical lanternshark (E. carteri ) as the smallest known species of sharks. The range of the species includes only individual deep- sea areas on the coast of Colombia in the Caribbean.

Appearance and characteristics

The dwarf lanternshark is a very small shark with a known body length of 16 to 20 cm and a body weight of 150 grams. He has a typical for the lantern sharks elongated body with a long and wide at the same time and on the upper side flattened head. The body color is brown on the upper side and goes to the side of the abdomen in a black drawing patterns on. The tail ends in their upper lobes in a black tip on the lower lobe there is a dark band. He also has the typical for the lantern sharks light organs that lie with him as dark markings on the ventral side.

It has no anal fin and two dorsal fins with the regulatory typical spines before the dorsal fin. The first dorsal fin starts behind the end of the pectoral fins and is about as large as the second dorsal fin. Like all species of the family owned pets five gill slits and have a spray hole behind the eye.

Dissemination

The range of the species includes only individual deep- sea areas on the coast of Colombia in the Caribbean. Here it is known from depths of 283-375 meters.

Way of life

The dwarf lanternshark live in coastal areas over the continental shelf and is found at depths of 283-375 meters. Like other sharks it feeds predatory, probably of smaller fish and invertebrates. About his life are no data and observations.

He is like other species of the order viviparous, further information on the reproductive missing.

Endangering

The dwarf lanternshark is not listed in the IUCN Red List. However, it has no meaning as a food fish and is accordingly no directed fishing.