A new species of
Chimaera is described from three specimens collected from deep water fishing grounds off the North Island of New Zealand at depths
ranging from 327–1020 m. This species is distinguished from all other members of the genus by gray coloration with chocolate
brown reticulations and spots covering the body and fins, as well as additional external features such as rounded pelvic fins,
first dorsal fin with distinct white margin, preopercular and oral lateral line canals sharing a common branch, and morphology
of pelvic claspers in males bifid, the distal 1/3 divided, with pale colored fleshy, distal lobes. Comparisons are made to
C. monstrosa and
C. owstoni, the two most similar species in the genus. this represents the first species of
Chimaera to be described from New Zealand.
Key words Holocephali - Chimaeriformes - Chimaeridae -
chimaera panthera sp. nov. - New Zealand