Overview
Comprehensive Description
Biology
Feeds on ophiuroids (Ref. 27637). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs are encased in horny shells (Ref. 205).
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Compagno, L.J.V. 1986 Chimaeridae. p. 144-145. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. (Ref. 3181)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=3181&speccode=10131
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FishBase
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Distribution
Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa (country), Ungama Bay
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Anon. (1996). FishBase 96 [CD-ROM]. ICLARM: Los Baños, Philippines. 1 cd-rom pp.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=5909
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Anon. (2000). FishBase 2000 [CD-ROM]. ICLARM: Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. 4 cd-roms pp.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=6542
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Fulanda, B.; Ohtomi, J.; Mueni, E.; Kimani, E. (2011). Fishery trends, resource-use and management system in the Ungwana Bay fishery Kenya. Ocean & Coastal Management, vol. 54, no. 5, pp. 401-414.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=166289
© WoRMS for SMEBD
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World Register of Marine Species
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Western Indian Ocean: off Kenya, Mozambique and Natal, South Africa.
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Compagno, L.J.V., D.A. Ebert and M.J. Smale 1989 Guide to the sharks and rays of southern Africa. New Holland (Publ.) Ltd., London. 158 p. (Ref. 5578)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=5578&speccode=5891
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Range Description
Southern Africa regional endemic known from the Western Indian off Mozambique, Kenya and South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal) and most probably also the Southeast Atlantic off South Africa and Namibia.
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IUCN
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Physical Description
Morphology
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 0
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Compagno, L.J.V., D.A. Ebert and M.J. Smale 1989 Guide to the sharks and rays of southern Africa. New Holland (Publ.) Ltd., London. 158 p. (Ref. 5578)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=5578&speccode=5891
© FishBase
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FishBase
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Size
Max. size
67.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 3181))
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Compagno, L.J.V. 1986 Chimaeridae. p. 144-145. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. (Ref. 3181)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=3181&speccode=10131
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Diagnostic Description
A shortnose chimaera with the dorsal fin spine longer than the head; 2nd dorsal fin with distinct concavity in the middle (Ref. 5578).
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Compagno, L.J.V., D.A. Ebert and M.J. Smale 1989 Guide to the sharks and rays of southern Africa. New Holland (Publ.) Ltd., London. 158 p. (Ref. 5578)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=5578&speccode=5891
© FishBase
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FishBase
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Description
First dorsal spine midly toxic. Rare, more specimens wanted.
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Anon. (1996). FishBase 96 [CD-ROM]. ICLARM: Los Baños, Philippines. 1 cd-rom pp.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=5909
© WoRMS for SMEBD
Source:
World Register of Marine Species
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Ecology
Habitat
Environment
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 421 - 750 m (Ref. 3181)
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Compagno, L.J.V. 1986 Chimaeridae. p. 144-145. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. (Ref. 3181)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=3181&speccode=10131
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Habitat and Ecology
Habitat and Ecology
Systems
Little known, soft bottom dweller on the continental slope, reported from depths of 303 to 1,300 m but most commonly found at depths of 421 to 750 m.
Life history parameters
Age at maturity (years): Unknown.
Size at maturity (body/total length): Probably sexually mature at ~35 to 40 cm BDL; ~50 to 55 cm TL (male & female).
Longevity (years): Unknown.
Maximum size (total/body length): To at least 98 cm TL (including tail filament); 47 cm BDL.
Size at birth (cm): Unknown.
Average reproductive age (years): Unknown.
Gestation time (months): Unknown.
Reproductive periodicity: Unknown.
Average annual fecundity or litter size: Unknown.
Annual rate of population increase: Unknown.
Natural mortality: Unknown.
Life history parameters
Age at maturity (years): Unknown.
Size at maturity (body/total length): Probably sexually mature at ~35 to 40 cm BDL; ~50 to 55 cm TL (male & female).
Longevity (years): Unknown.
Maximum size (total/body length): To at least 98 cm TL (including tail filament); 47 cm BDL.
Size at birth (cm): Unknown.
Average reproductive age (years): Unknown.
Gestation time (months): Unknown.
Reproductive periodicity: Unknown.
Average annual fecundity or litter size: Unknown.
Annual rate of population increase: Unknown.
Natural mortality: Unknown.
Systems
- Marine
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IUCN
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Depth range based on 101 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 74 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 309 - 1300
Temperature range (°C): 3.020 - 10.711
Nitrate (umol/L): 12.098 - 35.221
Salinity (PPS): 34.344 - 34.918
Oxygen (ml/l): 1.842 - 4.928
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.838 - 2.571
Silicate (umol/l): 4.992 - 58.799
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 309 - 1300
Temperature range (°C): 3.020 - 10.711
Nitrate (umol/L): 12.098 - 35.221
Salinity (PPS): 34.344 - 34.918
Oxygen (ml/l): 1.842 - 4.928
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.838 - 2.571
Silicate (umol/l): 4.992 - 58.799
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 74 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 309 - 1300
Temperature range (°C): 3.020 - 10.711
Nitrate (umol/L): 12.098 - 35.221
Salinity (PPS): 34.344 - 34.918
Oxygen (ml/l): 1.842 - 4.928
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.838 - 2.571
Silicate (umol/l): 4.992 - 58.799
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 309 - 1300
Temperature range (°C): 3.020 - 10.711
Nitrate (umol/L): 12.098 - 35.221
Salinity (PPS): 34.344 - 34.918
Oxygen (ml/l): 1.842 - 4.928
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.838 - 2.571
Silicate (umol/l): 4.992 - 58.799
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
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Depth: 421 - 750m.
From 421 to 750 meters.
Habitat: bathydemersal.
From 421 to 750 meters.
Habitat: bathydemersal.
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FishWise Professional
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Life History and Behavior
Life Cycle
Oviparous (Ref. 205).
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Breder, C.M. and D.E. Rosen 1966 Modes of reproduction in fishes. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, New Jersey. 941 p. (Ref. 205)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=205&speccode=1256
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Molecular Biology and Genetics
Molecular Biology
Barcode data: Hydrolagus africanus
The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.
No available public DNA sequences.
Download FASTA File
No available public DNA sequences.
Download FASTA File
© Barcode of Life Data Systems
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Statistics of barcoding coverage: Hydrolagus africanus
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 2
Specimens with Barcodes: 2
Species With Barcodes: 1
Public Records: 2
Specimens with Barcodes: 2
Species With Barcodes: 1
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Conservation
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List Assessment
Red List Category
DD
Data Deficient
Red List Criteria
Version
3.1
Year Assessed
2006
Assessor/s
Compagno, L.J.V. & Dagit, D.D.
Reviewer/s
Kyne, P.M. & Fowler, S.L. (Shark Red List Authority)
Justification
This species has a confirmed range off Southern Africa in the Western Indian from Kenya, Mozambique and KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). Examination of a small brown Hydrolagus sp. from the Southeast Atlantic off South Africa and Namibia also appears to be H. africanus (and for the purposes of this assessment is considered so). This species is not known to be commercially targeted or utilized and its preferred habitat is outside the range of most, if not all, local artisanal and subsistence fisheries; however, the depth range of this species broadly overlaps with the operating depths of the demersal hake trawl and other fisheries off the Western Cape coast of South Africa, which presumably take it as discarded bycatch. Available experimental catch data from the South African Marine and Coastal Management?s research vessel RV Africana (dataset from 1986 to present) needs to be examined to determine if any trends can be delineated on the relative abundance of this species. It is suggested that the current assessment of Data Deficient be reevaluated once these data have been analyzed and taxonomic issues resolved. No data are available from northern Namibia or Kenya.
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Trends
Population
Population
Population Trend
Nothing is known of population size or structure. Appears to be relatively uncommon, but further examination of catch records from research trawls may help in understanding relative abundance of this species. It is possible there may be separate populations in the Western Indian and Southeast Atlantic.
Population Trend
Unknown
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Threats
Data deficient (DD)
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IUCN 2006 2006 IUCN red list of threatened species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded July 2006.
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=57073
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Major Threats
Not known to be commercially targeted; however, the depth range of this species broadly overlaps with the operating depths of the demersal hake trawl and other fisheries off the Western Cape coast of South Africa, and H. africanus is presumably taken as discarded bycatch. This species could be threatened by expansion of the South Africa deepwater hake trawl fishery and any extension of other fisheries into the deepwater range of Hydrolagus africanus.
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Management
Conservation Actions
Conservation Actions
None are known to be in place. It is recommended that more data on catch and life history characteristics be collected.
The development and implementation of national management plans (e.g., under the FAO International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks: IPOA?Sharks) will help facilitate the conservation and management of all chondrichthyan species in the region. Namibia adopted its National Plan of Action (NPOA) in 2004. South Africa?s NPOA is drafted and at the time of writing is still awaiting government approval: it is a matter of urgency to adopt and implement this NPOA. NPOAs have not yet been developed for Mozambique or Kenya.
The development and implementation of national management plans (e.g., under the FAO International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks: IPOA?Sharks) will help facilitate the conservation and management of all chondrichthyan species in the region. Namibia adopted its National Plan of Action (NPOA) in 2004. South Africa?s NPOA is drafted and at the time of writing is still awaiting government approval: it is a matter of urgency to adopt and implement this NPOA. NPOAs have not yet been developed for Mozambique or Kenya.
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
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Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems
Benefits
Importance
fisheries: of no interest
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Compagno, L.J.V., D.A. Ebert and M.J. Smale 1989 Guide to the sharks and rays of southern Africa. New Holland (Publ.) Ltd., London. 158 p. (Ref. 5578)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=5578&speccode=5891
© FishBase
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FishBase
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Wikipedia
African chimaera
The African chimaera (Hydrolagus africanus) is a species of fish in the Chimaeridae family. It is found in Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, and South Africa. Its natural habitat is open seas. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Source
- Compagno, L.J.V. & Dagit, D.D. 2005. Hydrolagus africanus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 3 August 2007.
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