| Family: |
Chimaeridae (Shortnose chimaeras or ratfishes) |
| Max. size: |
120 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 2 - 1720 m |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Pacific Ocean: From Baja California, Mexico to Validivia, Chile. |
| Diagnosis: |
A species of the genus Hydrolagus based on the absence of an anal fin. Hydrolagus
melanophasma sp. nov. is distinguished from other chimaeroids by a blunt snout with minimal sloping from the orbit to the snout tip, a large slightly curved dorsal fin spine (25.9 % BDL) extending beyond first dorsal fin apex, and a long second dorsal fin (77.3–81.1% BDL) of uniform height throughout. The pectoral fins are large, reaching beyond the pelvic fin insertion when laid flat, trifid claspers forked for 27–27.8% of the total clasper length and the preopercular and oral lateral line canals branch separately or together from the infraorbital canal. Coloration after preservation is a uniform black with no distinct mottling or markings (Ref. 82286). |
| Biology: |
|
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 September 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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