New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts
Further records of the goblin shark, Mitsukurina owstoni (Lamniformes:
Mitsukurinidae), from New Zealand
CLINTON A. J. DUFFY
Department of Conservation
P.O. Box 644
Napier, New Zealand
Abstract Three specimens of Mitsukurina owstoni are
described from the east coast of New Zealand, doubling the number known from
this region. All New Zealand specimens have a longitudinal, mid-ventral fold in
the abdominal wall. Coloration, proportional dimensions, and tooth counts are
consistent with previous descriptions of M. owstoni. Tooth morphology
and the incidence of gaps in the tooth rows are highly variable. Prey items
identified are the squid Teuthowenia pellucida, the ostracod
Macrocypridina castanea rotunda, and mesopelagic teleosts. Morphology
and diet indicate that M. owstoni is a sluggish mesopelagic species.
Keywords Mitsukurina; goblin shark; distribution; New
Zealand; morphology; diet; Teuthowenia; Macrocypridina; habitat
Received 7 August 1996; accepted 10 January 1997
New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 1997, Vol. 24: 167-171
0301-4223/2402-0167 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand
1997
PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (400K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)
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