The southern lanternshark is a species of lanternshark found in the Southern Hemisphere.
Southern Lanternshark Scientific Classification |
|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Chondrichthyes |
| Order | Squaliformes |
| Family | Etmopteridae |
| Genus | Etmopterus |
| Scientific Name | E. granulosus |
Description
These sharks are 23.6-29.5 inches long. It is heavy-bodied with a large head and blade-like teeth in the lower jaw.
Dorsally the southern lanternshark is black or dark brown, with the underside most likely darker. There are black markings on the underside of the shark’s body and tail.
Where do they live
Map Of The Southern Lanternshark’s Habitat
Southern lanternsharks live around the southernmost part of the continent of South America in the southern Atlantic and Pacific oceans. There have been sightings in Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands.
They have also been found in parts of the Indian Ocean, including Angola, Australia, Amsterdam Island, Madagascar, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Its depth range is 721 to 4790 ft around the outermost continental shelves and upper slopes.
Behavior
Feeding
Their diet consists of bony fish, crabs, shrimp, and squids.
Reproductive
They are ovoviviparous, giving live birth to a litter of 10-13 pups. These sharks are 7 inches long at birth, and sexual maturity is observed when they are 18.11 inches.
Adaptations
These sharks display bioluminescence which helps them attract prey.
Interactions with humans
The IUCN classifies the southern lanternshark as “Least Concern” or “LC”.
