The narrownose chimaera (Harriotta raleighana) is a longnose chimaera of the familyRhinochimaeridae,[3] the longnose chimaeras, consisting of eight species belonging three genera.[4] This species is found in temperate seas worldwide, at depths between 200 and 3,100 m.[3] Its length is between 1.0 and 1.5 m, including a long, tapering snout and a long, filamentous tail.[5]
Narrownose chimaeras have elongate rostra, slender tails, large pectoral and pelvic fins, large eyes, and two dorsal fins, the first being preceded by a mildly toxic spine.[4][2] They possess two pairs of non-replaceable tooth plates in the upper jaw and a one pair in the lower jaw.[6] Male H. raleighana are estimated to reach 62.8 cm (24.7 in) and female 75.8 cm (29.8 in) at maturity, respectively.[7]
Habitat
The narrownose chimaera is found off Nova Scotia and in much of the rest of the Atlantic Ocean,[8] and in parts of the Pacific Ocean to depths of 3100 metres.[4] Very little is known of their biology due to their deep water habitats.[6]
Reproduction
Longnose chimaeras are members of the class Chondrichthyes, diverging from their closest relatives (sharks, rays, and skates) approximately 400 million years ago.[9] Like many other Chondrichthyes, longnose chimaeras reproduce by laying eggs.[7] Egg cases consist of a central chamber surrounded by a web-like structure.[6] Female longnose chimaeras lay a pair of eggs several times per season.[9]
_(cropped).jpg)
