Squaliolus [Squaliolus]

Description

Squaliolus is a genus of dwarf dogfish within the family Dalatiidae. These are some of the smallest sharks, found in deep waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. They have slender, elongated bodies and are characterized by their small size, with adults often not exceeding 20 cm in length. They possess light-emitting organs (photophores) along their undersides, which may aid in counter-illumination camouflage or attracting prey. Their biology and ecology are relatively poorly understood due to their elusive deep-sea habitat.

Species

Taxonomy