On the occurrence of the Southern Lanternshark, Etmopterus granulosus, off South Africa, with comments on the validity of E. compagnoi

Abstract

The Southern Lanternshark, Etmopterus granulosus, is a large species of Lanternshark that has been a source of long-standing taxonomic confusion. Recent work suggests E. granulosus to be conspecific with the New Zealand Giant Lanternshark, Etmopterus baxteri, suggesting that the species may be widespread throughout the Southern Hemisphere. The taxonomic affinity of populations off South Africa, however, has remained uncertain. Herein we show that South African samples are also conspecific with E. granulosus based on both molecular and morphometric data. These results extend the known distribution range of this species to South Africa and the southern Indian Ocean, strengthening the hypothesis that E. granulosus has a circum-Antarctic distribution. In addition we show that there is a cryptic, granulosus-like species in South African waters that can likely be assigned to Etmopterus compagnoi.