Black Ghostshark, Hydrolagus homonycteris Didier 2008

Other Names: Black Chimaera, Black Ghostshark

Hydrolagus homonycteris. Source: CSIRO National Fish Collection. License: Cc BY Attribution

Summary:

A relatively large dark brownish black ghostshark with highly deciduous skin, distinctly rounded pelvic fins and a large dorsal-fin spine. Males have slender, relatively short trifurcated claspers with small bristle patches.

Cite this page as:

Matt B. Reardon & Dianne J. Bray, Hydrolagus homonycteris in Fishes of Australia, accessed 19 Jan 2025, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2665

Black Ghostshark, Hydrolagus homonycteris Didier 2008

More Info

Distribution	Known from the continental slope and seamounts off southeastern Australia from southern New South Wales to Victoria, including Tasmania and Lord Howe Island, in depths of 870-1450 m. Also in New Zealand.
Size	To at least 1085 mm TL, and 667 mm BDL (body length - excluding the tail). Males and females probably attain maturity as a length greater than 850 mm TL.
Conservation	IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Not Evaluated.EPBC Act: Not listed
Etymology	The species name homonycteris is from the Latin homo meaning "man" and nycteris meaning "bat", in honour of Thomas A. Griffiths, Professor of Biology at Illinois Wesleyan University, an expert on bat systematics and known affectionately as the “bat man” to his students.
Author	Matt B. Reardon & Dianne J. Bray
Resources	CAAB Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota Catalog of Fishes

Black Ghostshark, Hydrolagus homonycteris Didier 2008

References

Didier, D.A. 2008. Two new species of the genus Hydrolagus Gill (Holocephali: Chimaeridae) from Australia. 349-356. In Last, P.R., White, W.T. & Pogonoski, J.J. (eds). Descriptions of new Australian chondrichthyans. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper No. 022: 1-358 [350].

Gomon, M.F. 2008. Families Dasyatidae, Myliobatidae, Chimaeridae, Callorhinchidae, Rhinochimaeridae. 138-149 pp. in Gomon. M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp. [145] (as Hydrolagus sp.)

Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Canberra : CSIRO Australia 513 pp. 84 pls [475] (as Hydrolagus sp. A)

Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 2009. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Collingwood : CSIRO Publishing Australia 2, 550 pp. [494]