Velvet Belly Lanternshark [Notolychnus valdiviae]
Description
The Velvet Belly Lanternshark, also known as Notolychnus valdiviae, is a species of lanternshark in the family Etmopteridae. They are typically found in the eastern Atlantic and western Indian Oceans, at depths between 200 and 1,000 meters. They are characterized by a long, slender body with a short head, large eyes, and small, blade-like teeth. The Velvet Belly Lanternshark also possesses photophores, which are light-emitting organs that produce a greenish glow, earning its 'lanternshark' name. This species is known to be ovoviviparous, with females giving birth to live young after the eggs have hatched inside the female's body.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Fish
Actinopterygii
|
| Order |
Lanternfishes
Myctophiformes
|
| Family |
Lanternfishes
Myctophidae
|
| Genus |
Notolychnus
Notolychnus
|