Biology:Southern chimaera
| Southern chimera | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Holocephali |
| Order: | Chimaeriformes |
| Family: | Chimaeridae |
| Genus: | Chimaera |
| Species: | C. fulva
|
| Binomial name | |
| Chimaera fulva Didier, Last & White, 2008
| |
The southern chimaera (Chimaera fulva) is a chimaera species in the family Chimaeridae. It lives in Australia , usually in marine waters 780 to 1095 meters deep. It can grow to a maximum length of at least 100 centimeters, and is sometimes confused with Chimaera obscura, a similar species in its genus.
Description
Male specimens of the southern chimaera can grow up to a maximum total length of 100 centimeters, and females can grow to 118.7 centimeters.[2] Its coloring ranges from a silver pink to a pale brown. Its dorsal spine is short, and males have large claspers, which contain bristles at the end.[3] The species is sometimes confused with Chimaera obscura, a related species commonly known as the shortspine chimaera. However, the species are different morphological; notably, C. fulva is lighter in color than C. obscura.[4][1]
Behavior and habitat
The southern chimaera is a bathydemersal marine species, typically living in waters 780 to 1095 meters deep, though it has been found in shallower waters as well. The species is oviparous.[3][1]
Distribution and conservation
The southern chimaera is distributed in areas off the coast of Australia , from the New South Wales in the east to Western Australia. It lives in the southwest Pacific Ocean and the eastern Indian Ocean. It is a relatively uncommon species, but its population is currently stable. The exact population of the species is unknown.[1]
The species is a common bycatch by fisheries in southern Australia. It is estimated that the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery catches roughly 12 tonnes of the species a year as a bycatch. Despite these issues, there are currently no conservation actions taking place for the species. IUCN lists it as being of Least Concern.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Theiss, S.M.; Huveneers, C.; Ebert, D.A. (2015). "Chimaera fulva". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T195429A68617075. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T195429A68617075.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/195429/68617075. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ↑ Froese, R.; D., Pauly. "Chimaera fulva Didier, Last & White, 2008". http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=398336#attributes.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Capuli, Estelita Emily. "Chimaera fulva, Southern chimaera". https://www.fishbase.de/summary/Chimaera-fulva.html.
- ↑ Reardon, Matt B.; Bray, Dianne J.. "Chimaera fulva". http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2662.
Wikidata ☰ Q2435860 entry
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