Rhinochimaeridae

Rhinochimaeridae
Temporal range:
Narrownose chimaera (Harriotta raleighana)
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Holocephali
Order: Chimaeriformes
Family:
Garman, 1901
Genera

Harriotta
Neoharriotta
Rhinochimaera

The Rhinochimaeridae, commonly known as long-nosed chimaeras,[1] are a family of cartilaginous fish. They are similar in form and habits to other chimaeras, but have an exceptionally long conical or paddle-shaped snout.[2] The snout has numerous sensory nerve endings, and is used to find food such as small fish.[3] The first dorsal fin includes a mildly venomous spine, used in defense.[4]

Long-nosed chimaeras are found in temperate and tropical seas worldwide, from 200 to 2,000 m (660 to 6,560 ft) in depth.[4] In August 2020, a long-nosed chimaera was brought up from 460 fathoms (2,760 ft; 840 m) off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.[5]

They range from 60 to 140 cm (2.0 to 4.6 ft) in maximum total length, depending on species.

Species

The eight known species are in three genera:[4]

Family Rhinochimaeridae

Harriotta raleighana Goode & Bean, 1895 (narrownose chimaera)

References

  1. ^ McMillan, Elizabeth (2016-03-07). "Creepy deepwater fish surprises Nova Scotia fisherman". CBC News. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  2. ^ McEachran, J.; Fechhelm, J.D. (1998). Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico, Vol. 1: Myxiniformes to Gasterosteiformes. Austin: University of Texas Press. p. 41. ISBN 978-0-292-75206-1. OCLC 38468784. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  3. ^ Stevens, H. & Last, P.R. (1998). Paxton, J.R. & Eschmeyer, W.N. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. p. 69. ISBN 0-12-547665-5.
  4. ^ a b c Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Family Rhinochimaeridae". FishBase. January 2009 version.
  5. ^ White, Jen (2020-08-22). "What in the heck was that?': Fisherman shocked to haul in long-nosed chimaera". CBC News. Retrieved 2020-08-22.