Etmopterus is a genus of lantern sharks in the squaliform family Etmopteridae. They are found in deep sea ecosystems of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Ecology

A number of species in this genus function as host to the specialized parasitic barnacle Anelasma squalicola, which embeds itself into the skin of the shark and extracts nutrients from its bloodstream.

Species

E. bigelowi

There are currently 45 recognized species in this genus:

Extinct species

There are at least two extinct species found in Etmopterus.

  • Etmopterus acutidens Casier 1966
  • Etmopterus cahuzaci Adnet 2006

See also