First recorded case of leucism in the velvet belly lantern shark<i>Etmopterus spinax</i>(Squaliformes: Etmopteridae)
Juan Carlos Arronte, Ana Antolínez, Rafael Bañón, J. M. Rodríguez, Juan José Ortiz, Juan Manuel Martínez
Abstract
The capture of a female specimen of the velvet belly lantern shark Etmopterus spinax with abnormal skin coloration is reported. The specimen was captured off northern Spain (Bay of Biscay, North-eastern Atlantic) in 2021 by bottom trawling. The lack of dermal melanophores combined with a normal retinal pigmentation, lead us to considerate the specimen as leucistic. This is the first case of leucism in E. spinax and the second record of colour aberration in the family Etmopteridae. A comprehensive updated review of published literature on albinism and leucism in chondrichthyans is also provided.
Topics & Concepts
VelvetBiologyLanternTrawlingChromatophoreCamouflageBayTunicateAlbinismFisheryZoologyAnatomyFishingEcologyArchaeologyOceanographyPaleontologyOrganic chemistryHistoryChemistryRing (chemistry)GeologyIchthyology and Marine BiologyIdentification and Quantification in FoodFish biology, ecology, and behavior