# Blackbelly lanternshark

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Species of shark

Blackbelly lanternshark Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Subclass: Elasmobranchii Division: Selachii Order: Squaliformes Family: Etmopteridae Genus: Etmopterus Species: E. lucifer Binomial name Etmopterus lucifer D. S. Jordan & Snyder, 1902 Range of the blackbelly lanternshark (in blue)

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The **blackbelly lanternshark** or **lucifer shark** (***Etmopterus lucifer***) is a shark of the [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) [Etmopteridae](/source/Etmopteridae) found around the world in tropical and temperate seas at depths between 150 and 1,250 meters – the [mesopelagic zone](/source/Mesopelagic_zone).[2] Compared to other mesopelagic fish predators and invertebrates, the blackbelly lanternshark is thought to reside in shallower, more southern waters.[3] *E. lucifer* can reach up to 47 centimeters in length[2] and consumes mesopelagic [cephalopods](/source/Cephalopod), fish, and crustaceans.[4] Blackbelly lanternsharks are [bioluminescent](/source/Bioluminescence), using hormone controlled mechanisms to emit light through ventral photogenic organs called photophores[5][6] and are presumed to be [ovoviviparous](/source/Ovoviviparity).[2] The blackbelly lanternshark has been classified as "Not Threatened" within the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[7]

## Distribution and habitat

*Etmopterus lucifer* is prevalent in New Zealand's deep waters, most commonly found on the south Chatham Rise, with the greatest occurrence recorded at around 500 meters in depth.[3] *E. lucifer* is categorized as a mesopelagic fish, preferring shallower and more southern habitats.[3] Between 1992 and 2010, a significant increase in *E. lucifer* biomass was observed along the east coast of the North Island.[3] In New Zealand's deep-sea trawl fisheries, *Etmopterus lucifer,* alongside the *[Etmopterus granulosus](/source/Southern_lanternshark)*, constitutes the predominant by-catch species.[6]

## Taxonomy

*Etmopterus lucifer* was first discovered and scientifically documented by David Starr Jordan & John Otterbein Snyder in 1902 off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.[8] It is a member of the family *[Etmopteridae](/source/Etmopteridae)* which is in the order *[Squaliformes](/source/Squaliformes).*[9]

- Additional phylogenetic information can be found here [10]

## Anatomy and morphology

Specimen of *Etmopterus lucifer* Jordan & Snyder, 1902 - The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom

*Etmopterus lucifer* has a slender body with brown coloration on the top and black coloration on the bottom.[11] *E. lucifer* is shown to have a higher amount of pores – associated with sensory [ampullae of Lorenzini](/source/Ampullae_of_Lorenzini) – on its ventral side than dorsal side, meaning the species likely closes in on prey from above.[12] Black markings are also featured around the pelvic, or ventral, fins and at the base of the caudal, or tail, fin. The blackbelly lanternshark has two dorsal fins,[9] the second of which is larger, and a caudal, or tail, fin, which is relatively long.[11] The interdorsal space is short.[13] *E. lucifer* has relatively long gills, as well as five [branchial arches](/source/Branchial_arch).[12] Along the side of the body, from its snout to its tail fin, are rows of hook-shaped [denticles](/source/Denticle_(tooth_feature)).[11][12] The lower jaw contains between 29 and 39 teeth that have one cusp, while the upper jaw contains between 21 and 26 teeth that have up to three cusps.[13][14] Teeth are around 2 mm in length.[13]

The maximum length of *E. lucifer* is about 47 cm.[13] Males range from 29 to 42 cm, while females are 34 cm or more in length.[13][14]

*Etmopterus lucifer* has a wide and protruding [rostrum](/source/Rostrum_(anatomy)), with large nasal capsules and rostral [fenestrae](/source/Antorbital_fenestra).[12] As a deep-sea species, *E. lucifer* has a large eye diameter, which can result in higher sensitivity to penetrating light and bioluminescence.[12] A translucent region in the upper eye orbit of *E. lucifer* can potentially help the species detect camouflage.[15] E. lucifer has high [rod](/source/Rod_cell) density in the nasal area of the eye, that allow the species to detect bioluminescent markings of other individuals and adjust to low-light conditions.[15]

### Bioluminescence

Three families of [shark](/source/Shark) are known to contain [bioluminescent](/source/Bioluminescence) species including *[Etmopteridae](/source/Etmopteridae)*, *[Dalatiidae](/source/Dalatiidae)*, and *[Somniosidae](/source/Somniosidae)* with recent research suggesting that the evolution of bioluminescence in sharks occurred once.[5] Like all bioluminescent sharks, blackbelly lanternsharks are covered in small photogenic organs called [photophores](/source/Photophore). A photophore is composed of [photocytes](/source/Photocyte), the cells where bioluminescent reactions take place, arranged in a cup shaped sheath and covered with lens cells. An iris-like structure (ILS) is located underneath the lens of the photophore and can open and close to release light.[6] Photophores are located across the body of *E. lucifer* in distinct arrangements, but are found in much higher density on the ventral side of the shark where they are oriented downward.[6][16] *E. lucifer* also displays photophores in clade specific lateral markings as well as along its pectoral fins and [claspers](/source/Clasper).[6]

Because of the ventral arrangement of light emitting organs on the body of *E. lucifer* and other bioluminescent sharks, researchers have hypothesized that bioluminescence evolved as a form of [cryptic coloration](/source/Cryptic_coloration), allowing blackbelly lanternsharks to blend into the residual downwelling sunlight of their midwater environment when viewed from below.[5][6] This form of camouflage protects sharks from predators at deeper depths. Research with a related species of shark, *[Etmopterus spinax](/source/Velvet_belly_lanternshark)*, has shown that *Etmopteridae* do not significantly alter the intensity of their luminescence and suggests that lanternsharks engage in daily [vertical migration](/source/Diel_vertical_migration) to follow an [iso-lume](/source/Isolume).[5][6] Due to lateral bioluminescent markings on the blackbelly lanternshark forming a narrow stripe along the side of the organism that could be recognizable to predators, it has been suggested that this species experiences a more relaxed threat of predation.[16][6] Instead, researchers have hypothesized that because these markings are distinct to the *E. lucifer* clade, they might aid in recognition and communication between conspecifics, and be a form of bioluminescent signaling.[6][16][15]

Bioluminescence in blackbelly lanternsharks and other *Etmopteridae* sharks has been found to be controllable through manipulation of hormones including [melatonin](/source/Melatonin) (MT), [α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone](/source/Alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating_hormone) (α-MSH), and [adrenocorticotropic hormone](/source/Adrenocorticotropic_hormone) (ACTH).[6] MT was found to induce light emission in the photophores of *E. lucifer*, a process that simultaneously occurred with the opening of the iris-like structure (ILS) leading researchers to conclude that both the bioluminescent chemical reaction occurring in photocytes and the ILS appear to be involved in the control of light emissions. α-MSH and ACTH were both found to decrease light emissions in the photophores of *E. lucifer*.[6] Additional information on the biochemical mechanism for bioluminescence in sharks is still being researched. Studies have attempted to link bioluminescence to known [luciferins](/source/Luciferin), chemicals that produced light when oxidized by a [luciferase](/source/Luciferase) enzyme, but it has been suggested that a novel photoprotein or luciferase might be present in sharks.[5]

## Biology and ecology

Blackbelly lanternsharks are presumed to be [ovoviviparous](/source/Ovoviviparity).[2]

The diet of *Etmopterus lucifer* is generally characterized as consisting of squids and myctophids[17] (lanternfishes) with slight regional differences. Populations found near Australia have been found to consume a variety of teleost, with the most common being myctophids, while also being known to feed on crustaceans and squids.[3] Populations in Japan have been found to consume euphausiids as part of their regular diet instead of crustaceans, though they still retain squids, albeit mesopelagic squids, and myctophids as part of their feeding regime.[3] In Southern Africa, *E. lucifer* has maintained myctophids in their diet, however, studies have found that they prefer to also hunt pelagic cephalopods in contrast to their regional counterparts that typically prefer squids in specific.[3]

*Etmopterus lucifer* is thought to attract its prey through the use of the photophores primarily found concentrated on its body that contribute to its cryptic coloration that provides both camouflage from predators and prey alike.[5][6] *Etmopterus lucifer* prey detection can be attributed to its theorized electro-sensory sensitivity.[12] Blackbelly lanternsharks have been found to have a substantial number of Ampullae of Lorenzini, which contribute to the detection of electrical fields (and resultantly prey), and through the use of ducts and pores, blackbelly lanternsharks can reduce the hindrance experienced as the signal moves along by having the destination be a synapse with a large diameter.[12] Through this reduction it is thought that the blackbelly lanternshark increases its overall sensitivity, allowing it to better detect faster prey.[12] Once the prey is within distance, the blackbelly lanternshark then utilizes its jaw to consume its prey entirely. It is thought that the separation of the suborbital muscle from the mandibular adductor muscle observed within this species of lanternsharks is thought to aid in the further extension of the mouth and thus permit the lanternshark to consume larger prey.[12] Labial cartilage present in *E. lucifer* has also been studied and found to aid in minor suction force which possibly assist with its feeding.[18]

## Conservation status

In June 2018, the New Zealand [Department of Conservation](/source/Department_of_Conservation_(New_Zealand)) classified the blackbelly lanternshark as "Not Threatened" with the qualifiers "Data Poor" and "Secure Overseas" under the [New Zealand Threat Classification System](/source/New_Zealand_Threat_Classification_System).[7] The species has low fishing mortality, as its small size may allow evasion of nets and trawls.[19]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-iucn_status_18_November_2021_1-0)** Finucci, B.; Ebert, D.A.; Schaaf-Da Silva, A (2018). ["*Etmopterus lucifer*"](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/161517/889953). *[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species](/source/IUCN_Red_List)*. **2018** e.T161517A889953. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T161517A889953.en](https://doi.org/10.2305%2FIUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T161517A889953.en). Retrieved 18 November 2021.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Klimpfinger, Claudia (December 3, 2023). ["Morphological Variability and Function of Labial Cartilages in Sharks (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii)"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10741050). *Biology*. **12** (12): 1486. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.3390/biology12121486](https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fbiology12121486). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [10741050](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10741050). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [38132312](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38132312).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Finucci, B.; Ebert, D.A.; Schaaf-Da Silva, A. (2018). ["Etmopterus lucifer"](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/161517/889953). *The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species*.

v t e Extant shark species Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata Class Chondrichthyes Subclass Elasmobranchii Division Selachii Order Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks) Hemigaleidae (Weasel sharks) Hemipristis Snaggletooth shark (H. elongata) Chaenogaleus Hooktooth shark (C. macrostoma) Hemigaleus Australian weasel shark (H. australiensis) Sicklefin weasel shark (H. microstoma) Paragaleus Whitetip weasel shark (P. leucolomatus) Atlantic weasel shark (P. pectoralis) Slender weasel shark (P. randalli) Straight-tooth weasel shark (P. tengi) Leptochariidae Leptocharias Barbeled houndshark (L. smithii) Proscylliidae (Finback sharks) Ctenacis Harlequin catshark (C. fehlmanni) Eridacnis Cuban ribbontail catshark (E. barbouri) Pygmy ribbontail catshark (E. radcliffei) African ribbontail catshark (E. sinuans) Proscyllium Graceful catshark (P. habereri) P. venustum Pseudotriakidae Gollum Slender smooth-hound (G. attenuatus) Pseudotriakis False catshark (P. microdon) Sphyrnidae (Hammerhead sharks) Eusphyra Winghead shark (E. blochii) Sphyrna Scalloped bonnethead (S. corona) Whitefin hammerhead (S. couardi) Scalloped hammerhead (S. lewini) Scoophead (S. media) Great hammerhead (S. mokarran) Bonnethead (S. tiburo) Smalleye hammerhead (S. tudes) Smooth hammerhead (S. zygaena) Triakidae (Houndsharks) Furgaleus Whiskery shark (F. macki) Galeorhinus School shark (G. galeus) Gogolia Sailback houndshark (G. filewoodi) Hemitriakis Deepwater sicklefin hound shark (H. abdita) Sicklefin hound shark (H. falcata) Japanese topeshark (H. japanica) Whitefin topeshark (H. leucoperiptera) Ocellate topeshark (Hemitriakis Sp.A) Hypogaleus Blacktip tope (H. hyugaensis) Iago Longnose houndshark (I. garricki) Bigeye houndshark (I. omanensis) Lowfin houndshark (Iago Sp.A) Mustelus (Smooth-hounds) M. albipinnis Gummy shark (M. antarcticus) Starry smooth-hound (M. asterias) Gray smooth-hound (M. californicus) Dusky smooth-hound (M. canis) Sharptooth smooth-hound (M. dorsalis) Striped smooth-hound (M. fasciatus) Spotless smooth-hound (M. griseus) Brown smooth-hound (M. henlei) Smalleye smooth-hound (M. higmani) Spotted estuary smooth-hound (M. lenticulatus) Sicklefin smooth-hound (M. lunulatus) Starspotted smooth-hound (M. manazo) Speckled smooth-hound (M. mento) M. minicanis Arabian smooth-hound (M. mosis) Common smooth-hound (M. mustelus) Narrowfin smooth-hound (M. norrisi) Whitespotted smooth-hound (M. palumbes) Blackspotted smooth-hound (M. punctulatus) M. ravidus Narrownose smooth-hound (M. schmitti) Gulf smoothhound (M. sinusmexicanus) Humpback smooth-hound (M. whitneyi) M. widodoi Scylliogaleus Flapnose houndshark (S. quecketti) Triakis Sharpfin houndshark (T. acutipinna) Spotted houndshark (T. maculata) Sharptooth houndshark (T. megalopterus) Banded houndshark (T. scyllium) Leopard shark (T. semifasciata) Carcharhinidae Large family listed below Scyliorhinidae Large family listed below Family Carcharhinidae (Requiem sharks) Carcharhinus Blacknose shark (C. acronotus) Silvertip shark (C. albimarginatus) Bignose shark (C. altimus) Graceful shark (C. amblyrhynchoides) Grey reef shark (C. amblyrhynchos) Pigeye shark (C. amboinensis) Borneo shark (C. borneensis) Copper shark (C. brachyurus) Spinner shark (C. brevipinna) Nervous shark (C. cautus) Whitecheek shark (C. dussumieri) Silky shark (C. falciformis) Creek whaler (C. fitzroyensis) Galapagos shark (C. galapagenisis) Pondicherry shark (C. hemiodon) Finetooth shark (C. isodon) Smoothtooth blacktip shark (C. leiodon) Bull shark (C. leucas) Blacktip shark (C. limbatus) Oceanic whitetip shark (C. longimanus) Hardnose shark (C. macloti) Blacktip reef shark (C. melanopterus) Dusky shark (C. obscurus) Caribbean reef shark (C. perezii) Sandbar shark (C. plumbeus) Smalltail shark (C. porosus) Blackspot shark (C. sealei) Night shark (C. signatus) Spottail shark (C. sorrah) Australian blacktip shark (C. tilstoni) Galeocerdo Tiger shark (G. cuvier) Glyphis (River sharks) Ganges shark (G. gangeticus) Northern river shark (G. garricki) Speartooth shark (G. glyphis) Irrawaddy river shark (G. siamensis) Borneo river shark (Glyphis sp. B) Isogomphodon Daggernose shark (I. oxyrhynchus) Lamiopsis Broadfin shark (L. temminckii) Loxodon Sliteye shark (L. macrorhinus) Nasolamia Whitenose shark (N. velox) Negaprion Sicklefin lemon shark (N. acutidens) Lemon shark (N. brevirostris) Prionace Blue shark (P. glauca) Rhizoprionodon Milk shark (R. acutus) Brazilian sharpnose shark (R. lalandii) Pacific sharpnose shark (R. longurio) Grey sharpnose shark (R. oligolinx) Caribbean sharpnose shark (R. porosus) Australian sharpnose shark (R. taylori) Atlantic sharpnose shark (R. terraenovae) Scoliodon Spadenose shark (S. laticaudus) Triaenodon Whitetip reef shark (T. obesus) Family Scyliorhinidae (Catsharks) Apristurus Flatnose cat shark (A. acanutus) A. albisoma A. aphyodes Atlantic ghost catshark (A. atlanticus) Brown catshark (A. brunneus) Hoary catshark (A. canutus) Flaccid catshark (A. exsanguis) A. fedorovi Humpback cat shark (A. gibbosus) Longfin catshark (A. herklotsi) Smallbelly catshark (A. indicus) A. internatus Broadnose catshark (A. investigatoris) Japanese catshark (A. japonicus) Longnose catshark (A. kampae) Iceland catshark (A. laurussonii) Longhead catshark (A. longicephalus) Flathead catshark (A. macrorhynchus) Broadmouth cat shark (A. macrostomus) Ghost catshark (A. manis) Black roughscale catshark (A. melanoasper) Smalleye catshark (A. microps) Smalldorsal cat shark (A. micropterygeus) Largenose catshark (A. nasutus) Smallfin catshark (A. parvipinnis) A. pinguis Spatulasnout catshark (A. platyrhynchus) Deepwater catshark (A. profundorum) Broadgill catshark (A. riveri) Saldanha catshark (A. saldanha) Pale catshark (A. sibogae) South China catshark (A. sinensis) Spongehead catshark (A. spongiceps) Panama ghost catshark (A. stenseni) Asymbolus Australian spotted catshark (A. analis) A. funebris Western spotted catshark (A. occiduus) Pale spotted catshark (A. pallidus) A. parvus A. rubiginosus Variegated catshark (A. submaculatus) Gulf catshark (A. vincenti) Atelomycterus A. baliensis Banded sand catshark (A. fasciatus) Australian marbled catshark (A. macleayi) Coral catshark (A. marmoratus) Aulohalaelurus New Caledonia catshark (A. kanakorum) Australian blackspotted catshark (A. labiosus) Cephaloscyllium Whitefin swellshark (C. albipinnum) Circle-blotch pygmy swellshark (C. circulopullum) Cook's swellshark (C. cooki) Reticulated swellshark (C. fasciatum) Formosa swellshark (C. formosanum) Australian reticulate swellshark (C. hicosellum) Draughtsboard shark (C. isabellum) Australian swellshark (C. laticeps) Spotted swellshark (C. maculatum) Leopard-spotted swellshark (C. pardelotum) Painted swellshark (C. pictum) Sarawak pygmy swellshark (C. sarawakensis) Flagtail swellshark (C. signourum) Indian swellshark (C. silasi) Speckled swellshark (C. speccum) Balloon shark (C. sufflans) Blotchy swellshark (C. umbratile) Saddled swellshark (C. variegatum) Swellshark (C. ventriosum) Narrowbar swellshark (C. zebrum) Cephalurus Lollipop catshark (C. cephalus) Figaro Australian sawtail catshark (F. boardmani) Northern sawtail catshark (F. striatus) Galeus Antilles catshark (G. antillensis) Roughtail catshark (G. arae) Atlantic sawtail cat shark (G. atlanticus) Longfin sawtail cat shark (G. cadenati) Gecko catshark (G. eastmani) Slender sawtail catshark (G. gracilis) Longnose sawtail cat shark (G. longirostris) Blackmouth catshark (G. melastomus) Southern sawtail catshark (G. mincaronei) Mouse catshark (G. murinus) Broadfin sawtail catshark (G. nipponensis) Peppered catshark (G. piperatus) African sawtail catshark (G. polli) G. priapus Blacktip sawtail catshark (G. sauteri) Dwarf sawtail catshark (G. schultzi) Springer's sawtail cat shark (G. springeri) Halaelurus Arabian catshark (H. alcockii) Speckled catshark (H. boesemani) Blackspotted catshark (H. buergeri) Dusky catshark (H. canescens) Broadhead cat shark (H. clevai) New Zealand catshark (H. dawsoni) Bristly catshark (H. hispidus) Spotless catshark (H. immaculatus) Lined catshark (H. lineatus) Mud catshark (H. lutarius) Tiger catshark (H. natalensis) Quagga catshark (H. quagga) Haploblepharus Puffadder shyshark (H. edwardsii) Brown shyshark (H. fuscus) Natal shyshark (H. kistnasamyi) Dark shyshark (H. pictus) Holohalaelurus H. favus H. grennian Crying izak (H. melanostigma) African spotted catshark (H. punctatus) Izak catshark (H. regani) Parmaturus White-tip catshark (P. albimarginatus) White-clasper catshark (P. albipenis) Beige catshark (P. bigus) Campeche catshark (P. campechiensis) Velvet catshark (P. lanatus) McMillan's catshark (P. macmillani) Blackgill catshark (P. melanobranchus) Salamander shark (P. pilosus) Filetail catshark (P. xaniurus) Shorttail catshark (Parmaturus sp. A) Pentanchus Onefin catshark (P. profundicolus) Poroderma Pyjama catshark (P. africanum) Leopard catshark (P. pantherinum) Schroederichthys Narrowmouthed catshark (S. bivius) Redspotted catshark (S. chilensis) Narrowtail catshark (S. maculatus) Lizard catshark (S. saurisqualus) Slender catshark (S. tenuis) Scyliorhinus Polkadot catshark (S. besnardi) Boa catshark (S. boa) Small-spotted catshark (S. canicula) Yellowspotted catshark (S. capensis) West African catshark (S. cervigoni) Comoro cat shark (S. comoroensis) Brownspotted catshark (S. garmani) Freckled catshark (S. haeckelii) Whitesaddled catshark (S. hesperius) Blotched catshark (S. meadi) Chain catshark (S. retifer) Nursehound (S. stellaris) Izu cat shark (S. tokubee) Cloudy catshark (S. torazame) Dwarf catshark (S. torrei) Order Echinorhiniformes (Bramble sharks) Echinorhinidae Echinorhinus Bramble shark (E. brucus) Prickly shark (E. cookei) Order Heterodontiformes (Bullhead sharks) Heterodontidae Heterodontus Horn shark (H. francisci) Crested bullhead shark (H. galeatus) Japanese bullhead shark (H. japonicus) Mexican hornshark (H. mexicanus) Oman bullhead shark (H. omanensis) Port Jackson shark (H. portusjacksoni) Galapagos bullhead shark (H. quoyi) Whitespotted bullhead shark (H. ramalheira) Zebra bullhead shark (H. zebra) Order Hexanchiformes Chlamydoselachidae Chlamydoselachus Frilled shark (C. anguineus) Southern African frilled shark (C. africana) Hexanchidae (Cow sharks) Heptranchias Sharpnose sevengill shark (H. perlo) Hexanchus Bluntnose sixgill shark (H. griseus) Bigeyed sixgill shark (H. nakamurai) Notorynchus Broadnose sevengill shark (N. cepedianus) Order Lamniformes (Mackerel sharks) Alopiidae Alopias (Thresher sharks) Pelagic thresher (A. pelagicus) Bigeye thresher (A. superciliosus) Common thresher (A. vulpinus) Alopias sp. (A. sp.) Cetorhinidae Cetorhinus Basking shark (C. maximus) Lamnidae Carcharodon Great white shark (C. carcharias) Isurus Shortfin mako shark (I. oxyrinchus) Longfin mako shark (I. paucus) Lamna Salmon shark (L. ditropis) Porbeagle (L. nasus) Megachasmidae Megachasma Megamouth shark (M. pelagios) Mitsukurinidae Mitsukurina Goblin shark (M. owstoni) Odontaspididae Carcharias Sand tiger shark (C. taurus) Odontaspis Smalltooth sand tiger (O. ferox) Bigeye sand tiger (O. noronhai) Pseudocarchariidae Pseudocarcharias Crocodile shark (P. kamoharai) Order Orectolobiformes (Carpet sharks) Brachaeluridae Brachaelurus Blind shark (B. waddi) Heteroscyllium Bluegrey carpetshark (H. colcloughi) Ginglymostomatidae (Nurse sharks) Ginglymostoma Nurse shark (G. cirratum) Nebrius Tawny nurse shark (N. ferrugineus) Pseudoginglymostoma Short-tail nurse shark (P. brevicaudatum) Hemiscylliidae (Bamboo sharks) Chiloscyllium Arabian carpetshark (C. arabicum) Burmese bamboo shark (C. burmensis) Bluespotted bamboo shark (C. caerulopunctatum) Grey bamboo shark (C. griseum) Hasselt's bamboo shark (C. hasseltii) Slender bamboo shark (C. indicum) Whitespotted bamboo shark (C. plagiosum) Brownbanded bamboo shark (C. punctatum) Hemiscyllium Indonesian speckled carpetshark (H. freycineti) H. galei Papuan epaulette shark (H. hallstromi) H. henryi Epaulette shark (H. ocellatum) Hooded carpetshark (H. strahani) Speckled carpetshark (H. trispeculare) Orectolobidae (Wobbegongs) Eucrossorhinus Tasselled wobbegong (E. dasypogon) Orectolobus Floral banded wobbegong (O. floridus) Banded wobbegong (O. halei) Western wobbegong (O. hutchinsi) Japanese wobbegong (O. japonicus) Spotted wobbegong (O. maculatus) Ornate wobbegong (O. ornatus) Dwarf spotted wobbegong (O. parvimaculatus) Network wobbegong (O. reticulatus) Northern wobbegong (O. wardi) Sutorectus Cobbler wobbegong (S. tentaculatus) Parascylliidae (Collared carpet sharks) Cirrhoscyllium Barbelthroat carpetshark (C. expolitum) Taiwan saddled carpetshark (C. formosanum) Saddle carpetshark (C. japonicum) Parascyllium Collared carpetshark (P. collare) Rusty carpetshark (P. ferrugineum) Ginger carpetshark (P. sparsimaculatum) Necklace carpetshark (P. variolatum) Rhincodontidae Rhincodon Whale shark (R. typus) Stegostomatidae Stegostoma Zebra shark (S. fasciatum) Order Pristiophoriformes (Sawsharks) Pristiophoridae Pliotrema Anna's sixgill sawshark (P. annae) Kaja's sixgill sawshark (P. kajae) Sixgill sawshark (P. warreni) Pristiophorus Longnose sawshark (P. cirratus) Tropical sawshark (P. delicatus) Japanese sawshark (P. japonicus) Philippine sawshark (P. lanae) African dwarf sawshark (P. nancyae) Shortnose sawshark (P. nudipinnis) Eastern Australian sawshark (P. peroniensis) Bahamas sawshark (P. schroederi) Order Squaliformes Centrophoridae (Gulper sharks) Centrophorus Needle dogfish (C. acus) Dwarf gulper shark (C. atromarginatus) Gulper shark (C. granulosus) Dumb gulper shark (C. harrissoni) Blackfin gulper shark (C. isodon) Lowfin gulper shark (C. lusitanicus) Smallfin gulper shark (C. moluccensis) Taiwan gulper shark (C. niaukang) Leafscale gulper shark (C. squamosus) Mosaic gulper shark (C. tessellatus) Little gulper shark (C. uyato) Deania Birdbeak dogfish (D. calcea) Rough longnose dogfish (D. hystricosa) Arrowhead dogfish (D. profundorum) Longsnout dogfish (D. quadrispinosum) Dalatiidae Euprotomicroides Taillight shark (E. zantedeschia) Heteroscymnoides Longnose pygmy shark (H. marleyi) Mollisquama Pocket shark (M. parini) Dalatias Kitefin shark (D. licha) Isistius Cookiecutter shark (I. brasiliensis) South China cookiecutter shark (I. labialis) Largetooth cookiecutter shark (I. plutodus) Euprotomicrus Pygmy shark (E. bispinatus) Squaliolus Smalleye pygmy shark (S. aliae) Spined pygmy shark (S. laticaudus) Etmopteridae Aculeola Hooktooth dogfish (A. nigra) Centroscyllium Highfin dogfish (C. excelsum) Black dogfish (C. fabricii) Granular dogfish (C. granulatum) Bareskin dogfish (C. kamoharai) Combtooth dogfish (C. nigrum) Ornate dogfish (C. ornatum) Whitefin dogfish (C. ritteri) Etmopterus (Lantern sharks) New Zealand lanternshark (E. baxteri) Blurred lanternshark (E. bigelowi) Shorttail lanternshark (E. brachyurus) Lined lanternshark (E. bullisi) E. burgessi Cylindrical lanternshark (E. carteri) Tailspot lanternshark (E. caudistigmus) Combtooth lanternshark (E. decacuspidatus) Pink lanternshark (E. dianthus) E. dislineatus Blackmouth lanternshark (E. evansi) Pygmy lanternshark (E. fusus) Broadbanded lanternshark (E. gracilispinis) Southern lanternshark (E. granulosus) Caribbean lanternshark (E. hillianus) Smalleye lantern shark (E. litvinovi) Blackbelly lanternshark (E. lucifer) Slendertail lanternshark (E. molleri) Dwarf lanternshark (E. perryi) African lanternshark (E. polli) Great lanternshark (E. princeps) False lanternshark (E. pseudosqualiolus) Smooth lanternshark (E. pusillus) Dense-scale lantern shark (E. pycnolepis) West Indian lanternshark (E. robinsi) Fringefin lanternshark (E. schultzi) Thorny lanternshark (E. sentosus) Velvet belly lantern shark (E. spinax) Splendid lanternshark (E. splendidus) Tasmanian lanternshark (E. tasmaniensis) Brown lanternshark (E. unicolor) Hawaiian lanternshark (E. villosus) Green lanternshark (E. virens) Miroscyllium Rasptooth dogfish (M. sheikoi) Trigonognathus Viper dogfish (T. kabeyai) Oxynotidae (Rough sharks) Oxynotus Prickly dogfish (O. bruniensis) Caribbean roughshark (O. caribbaeus) Angular roughshark (O. centrina) Japanese roughshark (O. japonicus) Sailfin roughshark (O. paradoxus) Somniosidae (Sleeper sharks) Centroscymnus Portuguese dogfish (C. coelolepis) Shortnose velvet dogfish (C. cryptacanthus) Roughskin dogfish (C. owstoni) Centroselachus Longnose velvet dogfish (C. crepidater) Proscymnodon Largespine velvet dogfish (P. macracanthus) Plunket shark (P. plunketi) Scymnodalatias Whitetail dogfish (S. albicauda) Azores dogfish (S. garricki) Sparsetooth dogfish (S. oligodon) Sherwood dogfish (S. sherwoodi) Scymnodon Smallmouth velvet dogfish (S. obscurus) Knifetooth dogfish (S. ringens) Somniosus Southern sleeper shark (S. antarcticus) Frog shark (S. longus ) Greenland shark (S. microcephalus) Pacific sleeper shark (S. pacificus) Little sleeper shark (S. rostratus) Zameus Japanese velvet dogfish (Z. ichiharai) Velvet dogfish (Z. squamulosus) Squalidae (Dogfish sharks) Cirrhigaleus Roughskin spurdog (C. asper) Mandarin dogfish (C. barbifer) Squalus (Spurdogs) Spiny dogfish (S. acanthias) Eastern highfin spurdog (S. albifrons) S. acutirostris Western highfin spurdog (S. altipinnis) Longnose spurdog (S. blainville) Fatspine spurdog (S. crassispinus) Cuban dogfish (S. cubensis) Eastern longnose spurdog (S. grahami) Japanese spurdog (S. japonicus) Shortnose spurdog (S. megalops) Blacktailed spurdog (S. melanurus) Shortspine spurdog (S. mitsukurii) Bartail spurdog (S. notocaudatus) Western longnose spurdog (S. nasutus) Cyrano spurdog (S. rancureli) Pacific spiny dogfish (S. suckleyi) Order Squatiniformes (Angelsharks) Squatinidae Squatina Sawback angelshark (S. aculeata) African angelshark (S. africana) Eastern Australian angelshark (Squatina albipunctata) Argentine angelshark (S. argentina) Chilean angelshark (S. armata) Australian angelshark (S. australis) Pacific angelshark (S. californica) Sand devil (S. dumeril) Taiwan angelshark (S. formosa) Angular angelshark (S. guggenheim) S. heteroptera Japanese angelshark (S. japonica) Indonesian angelshark (S. legnota) Cortez angelshark (S. mexicana) Clouded angelshark (S. nebulosa) Smoothback angelshark (S. oculata) S. punctata Western Australian angelshark (Squatina pseudocellata) Angelshark (S. squatina) Ornate angelshark (S. tergocellata) Ocellated angelshark (S. tergocellatoides)

Taxon identifiers Etmopterus lucifer Wikidata: Q3234649 Wikispecies: Etmopterus lucifer AFD: Etmopterus_lucifer BOLD: 53111 CoL: 3BM7T EoL: 46560251 FishBase: 681 GBIF: 2421047 iNaturalist: 100586 IRMNG: 10542691 ITIS: 160666 IUCN: 161517 NCBI: 454033 NZOR: 6c0ee125-a9ed-4e79-b0c1-163d3762a6f5 Observation.org: 804750 OBIS: 215604 Open Tree of Life: 423439 Plazi: 8AD7A3A2-3E49-F420-C4B5-B878F7EE866C WoRMS: 215604 ZooBank: 3A7559E3-1A87-43E6-8A2B-F026C8631D20

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Blackbelly lanternshark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackbelly_lanternshark) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackbelly_lanternshark?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.