A NEW SPECIES OF DEEP-WATER CATSHARK, APRISTURUS APHYODES N. SP., FROM THE EASTERN NORTH-ATLANTIC (CHONDRICHTHYES, CARCHARHINIFORMES, SCYLIORHINIDAE)

A new deep-water catshark, Apristurus aphyodes n. sp., is described fr om 1014 to 1800 m depth in the Eastern North Atlantic Ocean. The descr iption is based on a total of 30 type specimens, which include immatur e and mature males and females, ranging 209.2 to 540.0 mm in total len gth. This new species is distinguishable from the other 10 Atlantic co ngeners by the following characters: upper labial furrow shorter than lower one, large eyes with horizontal diameter 1.9 to 2.5 times in int erorbital width, subequal size of dorsal fins, anterior position of Is t dorsal fin with origin above front half of pelvic base, widely space d pectoral and pelvic fins with distance between their origins equalli ng head length, 9 to 11 spiral valves in the intestine and uniform whi tish colouration. A. aphyodes is a medium-sized species among the Atla ntic species of the genus, attaining its full sexual maturity at a len gth of 470 mm TL. A key to the 11 Atlantic species of the genus Aprist urus is provided.