New Zealand lanternshark
Etmopterus baxteri is a species of the genus Etmopterus within the lantern sharks ( Etmopterinae; classified as family Etmopteridae ). The range of the species includes parts of the South West Pacific to New Zealand and possibly areas in the western central Pacific and in the South African coast.
Appearance and characteristics
Etmopterus baxteri is a genus of the comparatively large shark with a known length of the body of 55 to 60 cm, which can attain up to a maximum of 88 cm. 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 uniformly brown to black - brown. On the underside of snout and abdomen, he has dark areas, just behind and above the anal fin. Another dark spot he has at the base of the tail fin. The head is marked by an indistinct, triangular white spot. He also has the typical for the lantern sharks light organs 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 begins on behind the pectoral fins and is about half as large as the second. The sharp spike of the second dorsal fin is severely bent. 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 parts of the South West Pacific to New Zealand and perhaps also areas in the western central Pacific and in the South African coast. Here it is known from depths of 878-1427 m meters.
Way of life
Etmopterus baxteri lives in the area of the continental shelf and on the island bases of its range. Like other sharks it feeds predatory, probably of smaller fish and invertebrates. About his life are very little data.
He is like other species of the order viviparous ( ovoviviparous ) with an average of 6 to 16 pups per litter.
Endangering
Etmopterus baxteri is listed in the IUCN Red List as not at risk. However, it has no meaning as a food fish and is accordingly no directed fishing.