First record of albinism in the lanternshark family, Etmopteridae

J Fish Biol. 2020 Jun;96(6):1512-1515. doi: 10.1111/jfb.14329. Epub 2020 Apr 13.

Abstract

A single albino specimen of the lanternshark, Lucifer's dogfish (Etmopterus lucifer), is reported here. The specimen was found among museum collections, having been captured near Cape Palliser, off the North Island of New Zealand in 1984. Morphometrics are reported, and with no retainment of pigmentation, the specimen is considered a complete albino. This is the first record of albinism for the family Etmopteridae and one of a handful of records for any deep-sea chondrichthyans.

Keywords: albinism, chondrichthyan, deep sea, Etmopterus lucifer, New Zealand.

MeSH terms

  • Albinism / veterinary*
  • Animals
  • New Zealand
  • Pigmentation
  • Sharks / physiology*