A rare deep-sea cartilaginous fish species endemic to the southern Australian continental shelf and slope waters, belonging to the Chimaeriformes order of holocephalan fishes.
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Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Marine environments at depths between 400-1,200 meters, primarily in the temperate waters off southern Australia, characterized by continental shelf and upper slope regions with rocky or sandy substrates.
Ecological Role
Plays a crucial role in deep-sea ecosystem dynamics as a mid-level predator, contributing to marine food web complexity and maintaining balance in benthic and lower bathypelagic zones.
Morphology
- SKIN COAT Smooth, pale gray to brownish skin with minimal scales, typical of holocephalan fishes
- LIMBS WINGS Large pectoral fins used for precise maneuverability, with a characteristic wing-like structure adapted to deep-sea navigation
- HEAD SENSORY Possesses electroreceptive ampullae of Lorenzini, enabling precise prey detection in low-light deep-sea environments
- BODY STRUCTURE Elongated cartilaginous body with a distinctive chimaera body plan, typically measuring 50-80 cm in total length, with a slender, tapering form
Data Source: TaxonHub Database
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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