Author: (Bonnaterre, 1788)
FBname: Kitefin shark
Comments: Found on outer continental and insular shelves and slopes (Ref. 247).  Mainly found on or near the bottom but readily occurs well off the substrate (Ref. 247, 58302).  Often pelagic (Ref. 58302).  Found singly or in small schools (Ref. 6871).  Feeds mainly on deepwater bony fish, but also skates, other sharks (etmopterids in Ref. 123656), cephalopods and crustaceans (Ref. 5578).  This bioluminescent shark (currently the largest luminous vertebrate) emit light ventrally to counterilluminate which might be used to illuminate the ocean floor while searching/hunting for prey; or to stealthily approach prey, using counterillumination camouflage, before striking fast when it is close enough (Ref. 123656). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205), with 10-20 young born at 30-42 cm (Ref. 26346).  Used for its squalene liver oil, leather and meat, as well as for fishmeal (Ref. 6871).