velvet belly velvet belly simply velvet belly species shark family common sharks northeastern atlantic_ocean velvet belly found iceland norway south_africa depth small shark generally long velvet belly named black underside abruptly distinct brown coloration rest body body species fairly stout moderately long snout tail small gill slits like velvet belly light forming species specific pattern flanks abdomen thought function counter illumination shark predators play role social interactions young velvet feed mainly small bony fish transitioning squid shrimp grow larger evidence individuals deeper water age species exhibits number adaptations living deep sea specialized cells liver proteins dealing higher concentrations heavy metals found velvet carry heavy parasite load giving birth litters young years species virtually commercial value large numbers caught commercial fisheries assessed concern heavy fishing pressure range slow reproductive rate raising conservation concerns taxonomy velvet belly originally described swedish natural historian known father taxonomy tenth edition designate type specimen specific epithet reference dorsal fins species later moved genus constantine velvet belly grouped caribbean brown dwarf having irregularly arranged needle shaped dermal denticles common comes shark black ventral surface sharply rest body like patch velvet distribution habitat range velvet belly eastern atlantic extending iceland norway including mediterranean_sea azores cape_verde reported south_africa shark mainly inhabits outer continental shelves upper slopes mud clay close middle water column common depth trough found depth species reported shallow deep description velvet belly built shark moderately long broad flattened snout mouth thin smooth lips upper teeth small narrow central usually fewer pairs lateral lower teeth larger strongly blade like bases pairs gill slits tiny comparable size dorsal fins bear stout spines second longer curved dorsal fin originates short rounded pectoral fins second dorsal fin twice size originates pelvic fins anal fin absent tail slender leading long caudal fin small lower lobe low upper lobe prominent ventral notch near tip dermal denticles thin hooked tips arranged regular pattern separated coloration brown abruptly transitioning black thin black marks pelvic fins caudal fin velvet belly possesses numerous blue green light visible away varying arranged patches shark sides belly creating pattern unique species present lateral line scattered beneath head excluding mouth evenly belly concentrated pectoral fins beneath caudal maximum reported length longer females larger males biology ecology portuguese velvet belly abundant deep sea sharks northeastern atlantic found individually small mediterranean found females males ages increases older age classes trough large adults found deeper waters juveniles serve reduce competition groups pattern observed sites eastern mediterranean velvet belly liver accounts body mass quarters oil making nearly deal higher concentrations heavy metals deep sea velvet belly cells identify mark toxic compounds elimination cells produced called organ found sharks rays liver specialized proteins capable copper mercury toxic velvet belly thought function counter illumination shark silhouette upward looking predators serve social function finding mates groups pattern species specific velvet belly important food larger fishes sharks major predator species numerous parasites known species juveniles adults carry heavy parasite loads known internal parasites include parasites use velvet belly prey intermediate hosts acquired use shark intermediate host external parasite shark dorsal spine deeply muscle process providing attachment site second rarely reduces host development reproductive organs feeding predators velvet feed crustaceans shrimp cephalopods squid bony fishes sharks italy eat small amounts worms fishes studies velvet norway portugal trough found small sharks long feed mainly small fish sharks grow larger varied consisting mainly squid shrimp fishes speculated smaller velvet slow catch fast moving cephalopods diet adults overlaps portuguese species avoid competition velvet belly living deeper water bite force exerted velvet belly life history velvet belly embryos hatching inside sustained yolk sac reproductive cycle years long occurring early autumn summer possibly winter females capable storing sperm late winter early spring gestation period year litter size number young increasing female size birth young measure long shark develops birth yolk sac formed suggesting mother transfers materials offspring tissue appears embryo long complete pattern laid time long birth young shark capable counter illumination ventral surface growth rate velvet belly slow faster deep sea sharks shark males mature sexually long females long average age maturity years males years females year old mature individuals sexes caught wild immature females years old males females years old respectively caught wild potential lifespan species estimated years males years females human interactions range substantial quantities velvet caught meant shrimp meant fish lacking commercial value sharks discarded extremely high mortality occasionally dried iucn listed velvet belly concern overall population remains stable range afforded protection mediterranean ban northeastern atlantic assessed numbers declined slow reproductive rate species limits capacity recover population
Velvet belly lanternshark