The Southern lanternshark (Etmopterus granulosus) is a shark belonging to the family Etmopteridae found from southern Argentina to Chile. It is easily confused with other sharks and therefore many individuals report this shark in other locations, but its range is limited thus far to the current range.
Family: Etmopteridae – Lantern Sharks
Genus: Etmopterus
Species: granulosus
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Subclass– Elasmobranchii
Common Name– Dogfish Sharks
Family– Etmopteridae
Common Name– Lantern Sharks
Genus– Etmopterus
Species– granulosus
Status: IUCN Red List LEAST CONCERN
Average Size and Length: Immature and adolescent males have been recorded at 26 cm/ 10.2 inches. The maximum length for an adult male or female is unknown.
Average Weight:
Current Rare Mythical Sightings:
Teeth and Jaw: There are bladelike unicuspidate teeth in lower jaw and teeth with cusps and cusplets in upper jaw.
Head: The head of the Southern lanternshark is big.
Denticles: There are visible lines of large, rough, conical dermal denticles on the body, but are not on the head. On the head, the denticles are wide-spaced and random. On the side of the head they are in visible lines. The snout is mostly bare except for lateral patches of denticles.
Tail: The tail is short and broad.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Southern lanternshark can be found in southern Argentina to southern Chili. They can be found over the outermost continental shelves and upper slopes between 722-2.090 feet. Some report this shark in the southeast Pacific, but these are unconfirmed and are more than likely a misidentification with another species.
Aesthetic Identification: The Southern lanternshark has a heavy body. It is grey-brown in color dorsally, and black ventrally. There is a short broad black mark that runs above and slightly behind the pelvic inner margins. There are additional elongated black marks that are on the caudal fin base. The gill openings are short. The second dorsal fin is much larger than the first dorsal fin. This shark is easily confused with other sharks.
Biology and Reproduction: Unknown but presumably ovoviviparous with possibly 10-13 pups per litter. Parasites of the Southern lanternshark, studied off Chile, include Monogeneans, Digeneans, Cestodes, Nematodes, and Copepodes.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown.
Southern Lanternshark Future and Conservation: There really isn’t enough data to evaluate them. However, for its range it seems to be of least concern at the moment.
Southern Lanternshark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.