Author: Garrick, 1957
Diagnostic Features:
A stout-bodied lanternshark with a short tail, distance from pelvic insertions to lower caudal origins somewhat less than prebranchial length, about twice in distance between pectoral and pelvic bases and nearly twice in interdorsal space; distance between pectoral and pelvic bases long in adults, about 1.5 times head length; distance from snout tip to first dorsal spine about equal to distance from first dorsal spine to second dorsal midbase. Head width slightly less than prebranchial length; prespiracular length slightly greater than distance from spiracles to pectoral origins; gill openings moderately wide, much greater than spiracle width and about half eye length. Origin of first dorsal fin well behind free rear tips of pectoral fins, first dorsal base considerably closer to pectoral bases than pelvics; interdorsal space long, about as long as distance from snout tip to pectoral insertions; second dorsal fin much larger than first and about twice its area; distance between second dorsal base and upper caudal origin slightly over 3 times in interdorsal space; caudal fin short and broad, length of dorsal caudal margin about equal to distance from snout tip to pectoral origins. Lateral trunk denticles with hooked conical crowns, not arranged in regular longitudinal rows; snout probably covered with denticles; no greatly enlarged denticles on flanks above pectoral fins. Distal margins of fins largely covered with skin, not fringed with naked ceratotrichia. Colour dark above and below, with vague blackish markings on underside of snout and abdomen, with an elongated narrow black mark running above and behind pelvic fins, and other elongated black marks at caudal fin base and along its axis.
Geographical Distribution:
Western South Pacific: New Zealand.
Habitat and Biology:
A little-known lanternshark from the upper insular slopes of New Zealand, found on or near the bottom at depths of 878 to 1427 m.
Size:
Maximum total length 75 cm, males adult at 66 cm, females at 75 cm.
Interest to Fisheries:
None at present.
Type material:
Holotype: Dominion Museum (National Museum of New Zealand), DM 1950, 742 mm adult female. Type Locality: South of Kaikoura, New Zealand, 915 m depth.