Harriotta avia sp. nov. – a new rhinochimaerid (Chimaeriformes: Rhinochimaeridae) described from the Southwest Pacific

Abstract

Harriotta avia sp. nov., a new species of long-nose chimaera (Holocephali: Chimaeriformes: Rhinochimaeridae), is described from specimens collected off New Zealand in the Southwest Pacific Ocean. The species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: elongated, narrow and depressed snout up to 56% BDL; long, slender trunk; beak-like vomerine tooth plate; large eye, length 8–12% BDL and height 5–7% BDL; long dorsal spine reaching slightly beyond apex of the dorsal fin; and slender rod-like pelvic claspers. The skin is deciduous, and uniform chocolate brown when intact. Harriotta avia sp. nov. is also distinguished from other Harriotta species based on DNA sequence divergence of the NADH2 gene. Harriotta avia sp. nov. is reported from the New Zealand-Australian region. Conclusions here show that Harriotta raleighana, a presumed globally distributed species, likely comprises several species and the genus Harriotta warrants a revision with specimens representing all ocean basins.