| Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANIMALIA | CHORDATA | CHONDRICHTHYES | SQUALIFORMES | ETMOPTERIDAE |
| Scientific Name: | Etmopterus schultzi | |||||||||
| Species Authority | Bigelow, Schroeder & Springer, 1953 | |||||||||
Common Name/s:
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| Red List Category & Criteria: | Least Concern ver 3.1 |
| Year Assessed: | 2006 |
| Assessor/s | Herndon, A.P., Horodysky, A.Z. & Burgess, G.H. |
| Evaluator/s: | Cavanagh, R.D., Kyne, P.M., Heupel, M.R. & Simpfendorfer, C.A. (Shark Red List Authority) |
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Justification: Etmopterus schultzi is a small (to ~30 cm total length) deepwater shark with a relatively wide range in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea found on the upper continental slopes at depths of 220 to 915 m. It is the most common species of Etmopterus in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Like other etmopterids, little known of its biology. Irregularly taken as discarded bycatch in deepwater demersal fisheries, however, this is not known to be a considerable catch. Similar to other lanternsharks for which no significant threats are apparent, this species is currently considered to be of Least Concern, although like many deepwater chondrichthyan species, more information on biology, ecology and fisheries are required. All deepwater fisheries in its range need to be carefully monitored and managed particularly as global deepwater fisheries continue to expand with the potential to negatively affect this species. |
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| Range Description: | Relatively widespread (compared to many other Etmopterus species) in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. |
| Countries: |
Native:
Colombia; Cuba; French Guiana; Honduras; Mexico (Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Yucatán); Suriname; Trinidad and Tobago; United States (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas); Venezuela
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| FAO Marine Fishing Areas: |
Native:
Atlantic – western central
|
| Population: | Most common Etmopterus species in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. |
| Population Trend: |
Unknown
|
| Habitat and Ecology: |
This species is most commonly found below 350 m, with a depth range of 220 to 915 m, on or near the bottom of the upper continental slopes (Compagno in prep. a). Appears primarily over mud bottom (G. Burgess, personal observation). Like other etmopterids, little known of its biology.
Life history parameters Age at maturity (years): Unknown. Size at maturity (total length): Female: 28 to 30 cm TL; Male: 27cm TL. Longevity (years): Unknown. Maximum size (total length): ~30 cm TL. Size at birth (cm): Unknown. Average reproductive age (years): Unknown. Gestation time (months): Unknown. Reproductive periodicity: Unknown. Average annual fecundity or litter size: Unknown. Annual rate of population increase: Unknown. Natural mortality: Unknown. |
| Systems: | Marine |
| Major Threat(s): |
Not targeted. It is known to be irregularly taken as discarded bycatch in some deepwater demersal fisheries.
Utilisation None known, probably discarded (probably too small to be utilised). |
| Conservation Actions: | None in place. Like many deepwater chondrichthyan species more information on biology, ecology and importance in fisheries are required. Any expanding deepwater fisheries in the region (which could impact its habitat and population) need to be carefully monitored and managed. |
| Citation: | Herndon, A.P., Horodysky , A.Z. & Burgess, G.H. 2006. Etmopterus schultzi. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 November 2008. |
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