Morphometric description and biological notes on the rare kitefin shark Dalatias licha (Chondrichthyes: Dalatidae) from the Hellenic waters.

Abstract

Deep-sea sharks are among the less studied and most endangered elasmobranchs existing in the Mediterranean Sea, and therefore scientific research should be prioritized towards this vulnerable group of species. The aim of this study is to provide a morphometric description of the vulnerable kitefin shark by recording 55 standard morphometric measurements and to present its main biological features based on the examination of six historical specimens that were captured as by-catch by commercial bottom trawlers in the Hellenic waters.