Chimaera orientalis Angulo, López, Bussing & Murase, 2014
Eastern Pacific black chimaera

Family:  Chimaeridae (Shortnose chimaeras or ratfishes)
Max. size:  17.62 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 560 - 1138 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Costa Rica and Peru; probably more widely distributed in the eastern Pacifc region.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished from its congeners by having an anal fin; also by the following set of characters: the oral and preopercular canals share a short common branch off the infraorbital canal; long dorsal spine (DSA 28.4-31.0% BDL), longer than first dorsal fin, when depressed reaches beyond to origin of second dorsal fin; first dorsal fin is high (D1H 20.8-26.7% BDL) with a short base (D1B 10.3-12.5% BDL); long interdorsal space (IDS 8.1-10.2% BDL); long pectoral fin (P1A 40.0-43.5% BDL), when depressed reaches beyond origin of pelvic fin base; long pelvic claspers (CLT 17.5-17.7% BDL), bifurcate, divided at about distal 40.9-43.1% of its length; long dorsal caudal space (DCS 2.0-2.5% BDL); ventral caudal margin ending slightly posterior to dorsal caudal margin; coloration dark brown with ventral portion of the trunk and all fins slightly darker, without distinctive markings or mottling (Ref. 97389).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 02 September 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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