Kyne & Simpfendorfer.. - Shark Specialist Group

example of this is the dwarf spookfish Rhinochimaera sp. A [Didier], a new species of
longnose chimaera captured off Japan, under investigation by Dr Dominique Didier-Dagit.
Where a ? follows a generic name, the placement of this species in that particular genera is
questionable and thus tentative. Further research may result in placement in another genus,
evaluation of a subgenera to generic level or designation of an altogether new genus. Where a
? follows a specific name, the validity of this species is questionable or the use of that specific
name may be invalid.
Subgeneric names have been provided for several skates within the families Arhynchobatidae
and Rajidae and these may be elevated to generic level where further taxonomic research
dictates. An example of this is the proposed elevation of Zearaja from a subgenera within
Dipturus (Last and Gledhill 2006), represented here by the yellownose skate Dipturus
(Zearaja) chilensis and the rough skate Dipturus (Zearaja) nasutus.
Distribution and habitat
Each species entry incorporates a summary of its known distribution, a list of FAO Fisheries
Areas in which it occurs, habitat zones, bathymetric distribution (depth range) and where
relevant, taxonomic notes including recent or commonly used synonyms.
Distribution, habitat and depth information was collated from Compagno and Duffy (2003),
global and regional field guides, specifically Last and Stevens (1994), Carpenter and Niem
(1998, 1999), Carpenter (2002), Ebert (2003), Compagno et al. (2005) and White et al.
(2006), as well as the primary literature, grey literature sources and consultation with experts.
FAO Fisheries Areas (the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization's Major Fishing
Areas for Statistical Purposes) are outlined below:
18 Arctic Sea
21 Northwest Atlantic
27 Northeast Atlantic
31 Western Central Atlantic
34 Eastern Central Atlantic
37 Mediterranean and Black Sea
41 Southwest Atlantic
47 Southeast Atlantic
48 Antarctic Atlantic
51 Western Indian Ocean
57 Eastern Indian Ocean
58 Antarctic Indian Ocean
61 Northwest Pacific
67 Northeast Pacific
71 Western Central Pacific
77 Eastern Central Pacific
81 Southwest Pacific
87 Southeast Pacific
88 Antarctic Pacific
Maps of these can be located at ftp://ftp.fao.org/fi/maps/Default.htm#CURRENT.
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