Rhinochimaeridae Explained

The Rhinochimaeridae, commonly known as long-nosed chimaeras,^[1] are a family of cartilaginous fish. They are similar in form and habits to other chimaeras, but have an exceptionally long conical or paddle-shaped snout.^[2] The snout has numerous sensory nerve endings, and is used to find food such as small fish.^[3] The first dorsal fin includes a mildly venomous spine, used in defense.

Long-nosed chimaeras are found in temperate and tropical seas worldwide, from 200to in depth. In August 2020, a long-nosed chimaera was brought up from off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.^[4]

They range from 60to in maximum total length, depending on species.

Species

The eight known species are in three genera:

Family Rhinochimaeridae

• Genus Harriotta Goode & Bean, 1895 (Late Cretaceous to present)
  • Harriotta haeckeli Karrer, 1972 (smallspine spookfish)
  • Harriotta raleighana Goode & Bean, 1895 (narrownose chimaera)

• Genus Neoharriotta Bigelow & Schroeder, 1950
  • Neoharriotta carri Bullis & J. S. Carpenter, 1966 (dwarf sicklefin chimaera)
  • Neoharriotta pinnata Schnakenbeck, 1931 (sicklefin chimaera)
  • Neoharriotta pumila Didier & Stehmann, 1996 (Arabian sicklefin chimaera)
• Genus Rhinochimaera Garman, 1901
  • Rhinochimaera africana Compagno, Stehmann & Ebert, 1990 (paddlenose chimaera)
  • Rhinochimaera atlantica Holt & Byrne, 1909 (broadnose chimaera)
  • Rhinochimaera pacifica Mitsukuri, 1895 (Pacific spookfish)
• Genus Amylodon Storms, 1895 (Late Cretaceous-Paleogene)

Notes and References

1. News: Creepy deepwater fish surprises Nova Scotia fisherman . McMillan . Elizabeth . CBC News . 2016-03-07 . 2020-08-22.
2. Book: McEachran, J. . Fechhelm . J.D. . Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico, Vol. 1: Myxiniformes to Gasterosteiformes . University of Texas Press . Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico . Austin . 1998 . 978-0-292-75206-1 . 38468784 . 12 July 2021 . 41.
3. Book: Paxton, J.R. . Eschmeyer, W.N. . Stevens, H. . Last, P.R. . amp . 1998 . Encyclopedia of Fishes . Academic Press . San Diego . 69 . 0-12-547665-5.
4. News: What in the heck was that?': Fisherman shocked to haul in long-nosed chimaera . White . Jen . CBC News . 2020-08-22 . 2020-08-22.