Halosauropsis macrochir
FAMILY
Halosauridae
TAXONOMY
Halosaurus macrochir Gunther, 1878, off Gibraltar.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
None known.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Elongate, eel-like body, which tapers to a point with no caudal fin. The anal fin is elongate and extends along the posterior half of the body. There is a single short dorsal fin located just before the midpoint of the body. All fins have soft rays with no spines. The mouth is inferior, and the snout projects well beyond the tip of the lower jaw. Among the largest of halosaurs, reaching a length of almost 3.3 ft (1 m). Can be distinguished from other halosaurs by the deeply pigmented sheath of the conspicuous lateral line. Black in color. Occurs at depths of 3,281–9,843 ft (1,000–3,000 m) in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Also reported from waters off New Zealand.
DISTRIBUTION
Eastern Atlantic from Ireland to Mauritania and South Africa; western Atlantic, including Canada to 25°N, and off southern Brazil; western Pacific, including Australia, New Zealand, and Japan; and western Indian Ocean.
HABITAT
Found over the continental slope and rise. Little is known regarding specific habitat requirements. Appears to be widespread.
BEHAVIOR
Little is known. Usually seen moving slowly just over the bottom.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Feeds principally on benthic prey, including worms and small benthic and epibenthic mollusks and crustaceans, such as decapods and amphipods. Larger specimens also consume some fish.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Little is known regarding spawning. It is unknown where the eggs and larvae develop. Eggs develop into leptocephalus larvae.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not listed by IUCN. Stocks probably have not been affected by human activities.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Because of its occurrence at great depths, the species is of no economic importance.
