Chlamydoselachus Garman, 1884
Diagnosis: elongate, almost eel-like body, head with reptilian appearance. Mouth large, sub-terminal; almost all teeth with 3 major cusps and some smaller ones. Gill-slits 6, with frill-like appendages to give 'collared' appearance. Colour: uniform dark brown or grey/brown, lighter ventrally, with a darker streak along flanks. Size: males to about 1.50 m, females to 2m TL.
Habitat: mesopelagic or benthic at considerable depths (120-1,100 m), but once recorded from surface waters (California). Food: only fishes recorded. Reproduction: ovoviviparous, litters of about 4-12; apparently about 60 cm at birth; eggs large, gestation period assumed long (1-2 years).
Distribution: Atlantic coasts from Madeira to the Shetlands and northern Norway. Elsewhere, North and South Atlantic, Japan, Taiwan, California, Chile, New Zealand and probably Australia.
Because of its occurrence in deepwater, the species probably escapes capture, but may be worldwide in temperate seas.
Species 1.
Species of this genus in the program:
Chlamydoselachus anguineus