![]() ![]() Dwarf lantern sharks reside in deep water, from 928 and 1,440 feet below the surface. These cute sharks reach only 7 inches when fully grown, making them small enough to fit in your hand. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. The dwarf lantern shark’s cuteness stems from the fact that it’s super tiny compared to most sharks that sport terrifyingly large bodies. "Length at first maturity of two species of lantern sharks ( Etmopterus spinax and Etmopterus pusillus) off southern Portugal" (PDF). ^ Coelho, Rui Erzini, Karim (October 2005).^ "Rough Sagre Shark, Deep sea animals, Sea sharks, Fishes, Deep sea explorations".^ Froese, Rainer Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2006).This shark is a worthy addition to the shark family and is one of the most interesting as we know very little about it. Basking shark, Tiger shark, Spinney dogfish shark, Dwarf lantern shark, Bonnethead shark. Surviving on krill and often dying due to being hunted by larger prey or parasites. A shark tooth is one of the numerous teeth of a shark A bull shark. The Dwarf Lantern Shark is the smallest of the shark species known to man and is an interesting creature. Now you know that sharks aren’t only large, hunting beasts but rather small, hidden creatures. More information on the biology and ecology of the Dwarf Lantern Shark is required in order to help their species grow. Fishing For Dwarf Lantern SharksĪlthough Dwarf Lantern sharks are not commonly caught in large-scale commercial fisheries, they are nevertheless at risk of dying from bycatch, and it is unknown how much human activity has affected shark populations. Female dwarf lantern sharks give birth to 2-3 pups at a time. Like all shark species the female is the only gender to reproduce with the help of the male. However, a dwarf lantern shark is more likely to reach its full size of 16-17 cm for a male and 15-20 cm for a female, when they reach full maturity. ![]() It has been documented that the largest dwarf lantern shark has grown to 21.2 cm long. Skin marks that resemble thin needles cover the skin.ĭespite the shark’s dark brown color, its ventral side has a stunning and recognizable pattern of black marks, with a fine black line in the middle that is continually broken. Famously, the lanternshark is the smallest species of shark known to scientists (specifically the dwarf lanternshark). A little longer anal fin is also present. ![]() Thin, needle-like skin marks cover the skin randomly from the lips to the tips of the fins. The upper lobe of the tail fin has a ventral notch at the tip, while the lower lobe is somewhat sized The pelvic fin formed towards the end of the second dorsal fin, which is the region between the first and second fins and is marginally larger than the pectoral fin. The pectoral fin’s back margin is where the first dorsal fin emerges. They have five pairs of gills, each growing slightly smaller than the last, There are 2231 tooth rows in the upper jaw and 3053 tooth rows in the lower jaw. Lightly built, the smooth lanternshark has a large head with a pointed snout, large oval eyes, and nostrils with short anterior skin flaps. Their large dorsal fin is home to a fluted spine which is placed in front. Description The smooth lanternshark has a bulbous snout and large oval eyes. The shark’s torso is short and divided in two. In other words, a lot of teeth for such a small creature. There are 25 to 32 teeth in a row in the upper jaw with 30 to 34 rows in the lower jaw. Whereas females teeth are larger and have a pair of lateral canines flanked by a single canine. Much like most species of the world, there are differences between male and female dwarf lantern sharks.Īdult males have single tip teeth in between two pairs of small canines, on their upper jaw. It is a bathypelagic species that has been sighted near the coastlines of Grenada, Los Testigos Island, Santa Marta, the Guajira Peninsula, and Barranquilla. Deemed Etmopterus lailae by scientists, the shark belongs to the lanternshark family and was found nearly 1,000 feet below the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii's northwestern islands. The flattened head pattern, small size at maturity, black ventral markings, and middle dorsal line all serve to identify the dwarf lantern shark. Growing to only 20 cm in length this shark is truly the smallest shark in the world, preferring to live at depths of 280-440 meters. The light draws smaller animals to their prey in the dark water. In comparison to other sharks, he also has somewhat larger eyes, which aid him in seeing in the ocean’s murky waters. The Dwarf Lantern features photophores, which are light-emitting organs, on its stomach and intestines.Īs the light from his belly blends with the oncoming sunlight as he feeds in shallow water, these assist him in disguising himself. ![]() With little knowledge about the shark it remains hidden and rarely seen at the northern tip of South America. ![]()
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