Velvet belly lanternshark (Etmopterus spinax)

General data

Main name: Velvet belly lanternshark
Local names: Velvet belly
Climates: Tropical, Subtropical, Temperate
Habitat: Saltwater
Native: Africa, Europe
Distribution: Atlantic Ocean

Classification

Genus: Etmopterus - Etmopterus
Family: Etmopteridae - Lantern sharks
Order: Squaliformes - Sleeper and dogfish sharks
Class: Elasmobranchii - Sharks and Rays
Superclass: Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes

Description

The velvet belly lanternshark (or simply velvet belly) (Etmopterus spinax) is a species of dogfish shark in the family Etmopteridae. One of the most common deepwater sharks in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, the velvet belly is found from Iceland and Norway to Gabon and South Africa at a depth of 20–2,490 m (66–8,169 ft). A small shark generally no more than 45 cm (18 in) long, the velvet belly is so named because its black underside is abruptly distinct from the brown coloration on the rest of its body. The body of this species is fairly stout, with a moderately long snout and tail, and very small gill slits. Like other lanternsharks, the velvet belly is bioluminescent, with light-emitting photophores forming a species-specific pattern over its flanks and abdomen. The ventral photophores are thought to function in counter-illumination, which camouflages the shark against predators and prey. The bioluminescent flank markings may play a role in intraspecific communication.

Taxonomy of Fishes

Osteichthyes - Bony fishes->
Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes->
- Elasmobranchii - Sharks and Rays->
  - Lamniformes - Mackerel sharks->
  - Carcharhiniformes - Ground sharks->
  - Rhinopristiformes - Shovelnose rays->
  - Torpediniformes - Electric rays->
  - Rajiformes - Skates and rays->
  - Orectolobiformes - Carpet shark->
  - Squatiniformes - Angelsharks->
  - Heterodontiformes - Bullhead and horn sharks->
  - Hexanchiformes - Six-gill sharks->
  - Myliobatiformes - Stingrays->
  - Squaliformes - Sleeper and dogfish sharks->
    
    Squalidae - Dogfish sharks->
    
    Somniosidae - Sleeper sharks->
    
    Etmopteridae - Lantern sharks->
    
    Etmopterus - Etmopterus->
    
    Velvet belly lanternshark (Etmopterus spinax)
    
    Whitecheek lanternshark (Etmopterus alphus)
    
    Ninja lanternshark (Etmopterus benchleyi)
    
    Blurred smooth lantern shark (Etmopterus bigelowi)
    
    Shorttail lanternshark (Etmopterus brachyurus)
    
    Barrie’s lanternshark (Etmopterus brosei)
    
    Lined lanternshark (Etmopterus bullisi)
    
    Broadsnout lanternshark (Etmopterus burgessi)
    
    Cylindrical lantern shark (Etmopterus carteri)
    
    Tailspot lanternshark (Etmopterus caudistigmus)
    
    Brown lanternshark (Etmopterus compagnoi)
    
    Combtoothed lanternshark (Etmopterus decacuspidatus)
    
    Pink lanternshark (Etmopterus dianthus)
    
    Etmopterus dislineatus (Etmopterus dislineatus)
    
    Blackmouth lanternshark (Etmopterus evansi)
    
    Pygmy lanternshark (Etmopterus fusus)
    
    Broadbanded lanternshark (Etmopterus gracilispinis)
    
    Southern lanternshark (Etmopterus granulosus)
    
    Caribbean lanternshark (Etmopterus hillianus)
    
    Shortfin smooth lanternshark (Etmopterus joungi)
    
    Laila’s lanternshark (Etmopterus lailae)
    
    Smalleye lantern shark (Etmopterus litvinovi)
    
    Blackbelly lanternshark (Etmopterus lucifer)
    
    Marsha’s lanternshark (Etmopterus marshae)
    
    Mollers lantern shark (Etmopterus molleri)
    
    Etmopterus parini (Etmopterus parini)
    
    Dwarf lantern shark (Etmopterus perryi)
    
    African lanternshark (Etmopterus polli)
    
    Great lanternshark (Etmopterus princeps)
    
    False lanternshark (Etmopterus pseudosqualiolus)
    
    Smooth lanternshark (Etmopterus pusillus)
    
    Dense-scale lantern shark (Etmopterus pycnolepis)
    
    West Indian lanternshark (Etmopterus robinsi)
    
    Papuan lanternshark (Etmopterus samadiae)
    
    Fringefin lanternshark (Etmopterus schultzi)
    
    Sculpted lanternshark (Etmopterus sculptus)
    
    Thorny lanternshark (Etmopterus sentosus)
    
    Rasptooth dogfish (Etmopterus sheikoi)
    
    Splendid lanternshark (Etmopterus splendidus)
    
    Bristled lanternshark (Etmopterus unicolor)
    
    Etmopterus viator (Etmopterus viator)
    
    Hawaiian lanternshark (Etmopterus villosus)
    
    Green lanternshark (Etmopterus virens)
    
    Aculeola - Aculeola->
    
    Centroscyllium - Centroscyllium->
    
    Trigonognathus - Trigonognathus->
    
    Centrophoridae - Gulper sharks->
    
    Dalatiidae - Sleeper sharks->
    
    Oxynotidae - Rough sharks->
  - Echinorhiniformes - Bramble sharks->
  - Pristiophoriformes - Saw sharks->
- Holocephali - Chimaeras->
Agnatha - Jawless fishes->