A deep-sea cartilaginous fish species endemic to southern African marine waters, characterized by its unique evolutionary lineage and specialized marine habitat.
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Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Bathyal and abyssal zones of the southeastern Atlantic Ocean, typically at depths between 300-1,200 meters along the continental slope of southern Africa
Ecological Role
Plays a critical role in deep-sea marine ecosystems as a mid-level predator, contributing to complex marine food web dynamics
Morphology
- SKIN COAT Smooth, scaleless skin with a grayish-brown coloration, providing camouflage in deep marine environments
- LIMBS WINGS Paired pectoral and pelvic fins with distinctive chimaera-typical fin morphology, supported by cartilaginous skeletal structures
- HEAD SENSORY Prominent sensory organs including ampullae of Lorenzini for electroreception, large eyes adapted for low-light deep-sea environments
- BODY STRUCTURE Elongated cartilaginous body with a distinct head and tapering tail, approximately 70-90 cm total length, with a streamlined hydrodynamic profile
Data Source: TaxonHub Database
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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