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Great Lanternshark
Squaliformes

Great Lanternshark

Etmopterus princeps

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Max Length

0.75m

Overview

A deep-sea dogfish shark that produces bioluminescence through photophores along its belly, likely for counter-illumination and communication. Found in the deep North Atlantic. Rarely encountered.

Habitat

These sharks frequent the continental slopes, on or near the bottom from 1148.3 to7260.5 ft [350 to 2213 m] deep. On the north Atlantic lower rise, they are found from 12303.1 to 14763.8 ft [3750-4500 m].

Distribution

North Atlantic & Arctic

Northwest Atlantic from Nova Scotia to New Jersey. In the northeast Atlantic, they are found between Greenland and Iceland to the northwest of Africa and Azores. Their nominal range in the south Atlantic and western Pacific is uncertain.

Biology

Reproduction
Presumably ovoviviparous

Appearance

Great Lanternshark illustration
Dorsal
Blackish body.
Sources:sharksorg

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the great lanternshark dangerous to humans?
The great lanternshark is not considered dangerous to humans under normal conditions. There are few or no recorded incidents involving this species.
Where does this species data come from?
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed taxonomy and published references. Incident data is sourced from the Global Shark Attack File and joined to species records by name match.
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