Chimaera notafricana Kemper, Ebert, Compagno & Didier, 2010
Cape chimaera
photo by Kemper, J.M.

Family:  Chimaeridae (Shortnose chimaeras or ratfishes)
Max. size:  83.7 cm TL (male/unsexed); 93 cm TL (female)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 680 - 1000 m
Distribution:  Southeast Atlantic: from off Lüderitz, Namibia, around the Cape of Good Hope and eastwards to Algoa Bay, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
Diagnosis:  This species was assigned to the genus Chimaera based on the presence of an anal fin which is separate from the ventral caudal margin by a notch. It is distinguished from its congeners by a set of characters: uniform blackish brown color with dark bluish streaking and precaudal tail with longitudinal light and dark stripes; dorsal spine when depressed reaches beyond origin of second dorsal fin; large triangular pectoral fins, when depressed reaches just to pelvic-fin origin; caudal fin ventral margin ending very slightly posterior to caudal fin dorsal margin insertion; males with short pelvic claspers that are externally trifid, 12.1-12.3% BDL, not extending past distal tip of pelvic fins, divided for distal one-third of length; distance from anterior base of dorsal fin spine to center of supratemporal canal short, 6.5-14.8% HDL (Ref. 84536).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 September 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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