Author: Bass, et al, 1976
Field Marks:
Two spined dorsal fins, no anal fin, bladelike unicuspidate teeth in lower jaw and teeth with cusps and cusplets in upper jaw, two longitudinal rows of enlarged denticles on flanks.
Diagnostic Features:
A slender-bodied lanternshark with a moderately long tail, distance from pelvic insertions to ventral caudal origin about as long as head and about equal to distance between pectoral and pelvic bases and to interdorsal space; distance between pectoral and pelvic bases moderately long in adults, about equal to head length; distance from snout tip to first dorsal spine about equal to distance from first dorsal spine to second dorsal insertion. Head width slightly greater than preoral snout; prespiracular length slightly greater than distance from spiracles to pectoral origins; gill openings moderately long, wider than spiracle, about 1/3 eye length; upper teeth with 3 or 4 pairs of cusplets. Origin of first dorsal fin over inner margins of pectoral fins, dorsal fin base much closer to pectoral bases than pelvics; interdorsal space short, about equal to head length; second dorsal fin much larger than first, over twice its area; distance between second dorsal base and upper caudal origin about 1.5 in interdorsal space; caudal fin moderately long and broad, length of dorsal caudal margin about equal to head length. Lateral trunk denticles with low, short, pointed crowns with a dorsal depression, wide-spaced but not arranged in regular longitudinal rows; snout largely covered with denticles; two rows of greatly enlarged hook-like denticles on flanks above pectoral fins. Distal margins of fins largely naked and more or less fringed with ceratotrichia. Colour greyish-black above and below, with underside of snout and abdomen inconspicuously black, an elongated broad black mark running above, in front and behind pelvic fins, and other elonuated black marks at caudal fin base and alonq its axis.
Geographical Distribution:
Western Indian Ocean: South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania.
Habitat and Biology:
A little-known lanternshark from the E southeastern Indian Ocean, at depths of perhaps 200 to 500 m, at or near the bottom.
Size:
Maximum total length recorded 27 cm for an immature male, size of adults unknown.
Interest to Fisheries: None.
Type material:
Holotype: Oceanographic Research Institute, South Africa, ORI 2369, 27 cm. Type Locality: Near Bazaruto Island, Mozambique.