The Hawaiian lanternshark (Etmopterus villosus) is a shark belonging to the family Etmopteridae found around the Hawaiian Islands. They prefer depths between 1,332-2,989 feet.
Family: Etmopteridae – Lantern Sharks
Genus: Etmopterus
Species: villosus
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Subclass– Elasmobranchii
Common Name– Dogfish Sharks
Family– Etmopteridae
Common Name– Lantern Sharks
Genus– Etmopterus
Species– villosus
Status: IUCN Red List LEAST CONCERN
Average Size and Length: The maximum recorded length has been 46 cm/1.5 feet.
Teeth and Jaw: The teeth in the upper and lower jaws differ. The upper teeth typically have less than 3 pairs of cusplets.
Denticles: The lateral trunk dermal denticles are slender, hooked, conical crowns and are wide-spaced. They are arranged in regular rows on the rear of the trunk and the tail. There aren’t any rows of greatly elongated denticles on the flanks above the pectoral fins. The snout is covered with dermal denticles. The distal margins of the fins are covered with skin.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Hawaiian lanternshark can be found in the Pacific Ocean in the Hawaiian Islands. They are found over insular slopes on or near the bottom between 1,332-2,989 feet.
Aesthetic Identification: The body of the Hawaiian lanternshark is stout. It is brown to black in color dorsally with a slightly darker ventral side. There us an indistinct black mark above the pelvic fins. The gill openings are somewhat long, they are about a quarter of the eye length. The second dorsal fin is much larger, but less than twice the area of the first dorsal fin, with a tall, slightly curved spine.
Biology and Reproduction: Unknown, but presumably ovoviviparous.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown.
Hawaiian Lanternshark Future and Conservation: They are of least concern because they aren’t evaluated.
Hawaiian Lanternshark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.