The dwarf lantern shark is the smallest shark in the world, reaching a maximum known length of 20cm (8in).
- It belongs to the dogfish shark family Etmopteridae and is one of the few bioluminescent sharks, producing light from organs called photophores on its belly and fins.
- It is only found in a small area of the Caribbean Sea off the coasts of Colombia and Venezuela, at depths of 283–439m on the upper continental slope.
- It has a long, flattened head, large eyes, and a pattern of black markings on its underside and a mid-dorsal line.
- It has needle-shaped dermal denticles that are irregularly arranged on its skin, unlike most other sharks that have placoid scales.
- It has different types of teeth in the upper and lower jaws: the upper teeth of males have a single cusp with two pairs of lateral cusplets, while the upper teeth of females have a single cusp with one pair of lateral cusplets; the lower teeth are similar in both sexes and have a single narrow cusp.
- It is aplacental viviparous, meaning it gives birth to live young without a placenta; females produce two or three pups per litter after an unknown gestation period.
- It is not targeted by commercial fisheries, but may be threatened by bycatch or habitat degradation; its conservation status is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though more data is needed to assess its population trends and threats.
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