Southern Hagfish [Paramyxine]
Description
Paramyxine is a genus of hagfishes known for inhabiting the waters of the Southern Hemisphere, particularly around New Zealand and Australia. These creatures share many of the common hagfish characteristics, such as slime production and a jawless mouth. However, they are distinguished by variations in the arrangement and number of their slime glands and gill pouches. Paramyxine species are important scavengers in their ecosystems, contributing to the breakdown and recycling of dead marine organisms.