Narrownose chimaera | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Chondrichthyes |
Subclass: | Holocephali |
Order: | Chimaeriformes |
Family: | Rhinochimaeridae |
Genus: | Harriotta |
Species: | H. raleighana
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Binomial name | |
Harriotta raleighana
Goode &
T. H. Bean, 1895
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The narrownose chimaera (Harriotta raleighana) is a longnose chimaera of the family Rhinochimaeridae, [2] the longnose chimaeras, consisting of eight species belonging three genera. [3] This species is found in temperate seas worldwide, at depths between 200 and 3,100 m. [2] Its length is between 1.0 and 1.5 m, including a long, tapering snout and a long, filamentous tail. [4]
This species was first described by George Brown Goode and Tarleton Hoffman Bean in 1895. [5] The genus Harriotta refers to Thomas Harriot and the species name references Sir Walter Raleigh. [2] [6]
Narrownose chimaeras have elongate rostra, slender tails, large pectoral and pelvic fins, large eyes, and two dorsal fins, the first being preceded by a mildly toxic spine. [3] [6] They possess two pairs of non-replaceable tooth plates in the upper jaw and a one pair in the lower jaw. [7] Male H. raleighana are estimated to reach 62.8 cm (24.7 in) and female 75.8 cm (29.8 in) at maturity, respectively. [8]
The narrownose chimaera is found off Nova Scotia and in much of the rest of the Atlantic Ocean, [9] and in parts of the Pacific Ocean to depths of 3100 metres. [3] Very little is known of their biology due to their deep water habitats. [7]
Longnose chimaeras are members of the class Chondrichthyes, diverging from their closest relatives ( sharks, rays, and skates) approximately 400 million years ago. [10] Like many other Chondrichthyes, longnose chimaeras reproduce by laying eggs. [8] Egg cases consist of a central chamber surrounded by a web-like structure. [7] Female longnose chimaeras lay a pair of eggs several times per season. [10]
The IUCN has classified this species as being of least concern. [1] In June 2018 the New Zealand Department of Conservation classified the narrownose chimaera as "Not Threatened" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. [11]
Media related to Harriotta raleighana at Wikimedia Commons