The cape chimaera (''Chimaera notafricana'') is a

chimaera Chimaeras are cartilaginous fish in the order Chimaeriformes , known informally as ghost sharks, rat fish, spookfish, or rabbit fish; the last three names are not to be confused with rattails, Opisthoproctidae, or Siganidae, respectively. At ...

species in the family

Chimaeridae The Chimaeridae, or short-nosed chimaeras, are a family of cartilaginous fish. They resemble other chimaeras in general form and habits, but have short, rounded snouts, without the modifications found in related families. Many species have lon ...

, which lives in South Africa and Namibia.

Taxonomy

The cape chimaera is one of 16 species in the genus

Chimaera Chimaeras are cartilaginous fish in the order Chimaeriformes , known informally as ghost sharks, rat fish, spookfish, or rabbit fish; the last three names are not to be confused with rattails, Opisthoproctidae, or Siganidae, respectively. At ...

. The species was described in 2010 by Kemper, Ebert Compagno and Didier. Prior to 2010, specimens were classified under the species ''

Chimaera monstrosa ''Chimaera monstrosa'', also known as the rabbit fish or rat fish, is a northeast Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean species of cartilaginous fish in the family Chimaeridae. The rabbit fish is known for its characteris ...

'', commonly known as the rabbit fish, before further studies showed that they had a number of differences in distribution and appearance, enough to classify them as two separate species.

Habitat and distribution

The cape chimaera is found in the southeast Atlantic Ocean, in the waters off Namibia as well as South Africa, particularly in the Western Cape, Northern Cape Province, and Eastern Cape Province. Its exact population being unknown, but it is thought to be an uncommon species. Although the species is occasionally caught as a bycatch by deepwater fisheries, it is not threatened and is not sought out for commercial purposes. Currently, there are no conservation measures taking place on behalf of the species and as of November 18, 2010 it is listed as Least Concern by

IUCN The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN; officially International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natu ...

. The cape chimaera lives in waters – deep. It is believed to be a benthic species, living at the sea floor of the continental slope. Little else is known about its habitat of the species.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q5860887 Chimaera Marine fish of South Africa Fish of Namibia Fish described in 2010