New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts

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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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