Chimaera stellata

Chimaera stellata
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Subclass:	Holocephali
Order:	Chimaeriformes
Family:	Chimaeridae
Genus:	Chimaera
Species:	C. stellata
Binomial name
Chimaera stellata Teramura, Senou, & Hirase, 2024

Chimaera stellata, the stellated chimaera, is a type of chimaera of the family Chimaeridae found exclusively in Okinawa Trough, East China Sea, from only one specimen. ^{[2] [1]}

Description

This chimaera species is distinguishable from its closest congener (Chimaera owstoni) from several characteristics: stockier body, robust head, slightly concaved dorsal spine, teardrop-shaped pectoral fin, square-shaped anal fin with pale gray distal margin, darkish ventral surface, and walnut brown-colored body with lighter spots. ^[2] The only specimen ever reported, which is a female, has a maximum total length (TL) of around 88.7 cm. ^[2]

Habitat & distribution

After its discovery, stellated chimaera has been believed to be an endemic in Japan, specifically around Okinawa, and there are still no details about its habitat depth. ^{[2] [1]}

References

1. Finucci, B. & Teramura, A. (2024-06-15). "Chimaera stellata". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2024-2.rlts.t261710965a261710992.en.
2. Teramura, Akinori; Senou, Hiroshi; Hirase, Shotaro (2025-01-01). "Chimaera stellata, a new species described from the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the redescription of Chimaera owstoni Tanaka 1905 (Chondrichthyes: Chimaeridae)". Ichthyological Research. 72 (1): 117–129. doi:10.1007/s10228-024-00973-1. ISSN   1616-3915.