#dalatiidae

It was hard to find live pictures of these guys!

Do you believe your shiny mew is rare? Think twice. The Taillight Shark (Euprotomicroides zantedeschia) is an extremely rare, small oceanic shark. This small shark is only know from two specimens found in Atlantic, and a recent third and fourth record from off Chile, near Pacific Juan Fernandez Islands   .

The species possesses a luminous organ in a large abdominal pouch which covers the cloaca, this character is unique to the genus. Reproduction is assumed to be ovoviviparous. Its pectoral fin shape and orientation suggest hovering ability within the water column. Given the species’ oceanic occurrence, small size and distribution, it is not likely to be captured regularly in any fisheries, and as such there are no apparent threats. However, at this stage it cannot be assessed beyond Data Deficient, given that it is known from only four specimens. 

Imagen: Taillight shark assumed mature female (50 cm in lenght, and Drawings by Inge van Noortwijk, Naturalis.