A new species of deepwater catshark, Apristurus albisoma n. sp from New Caledonia (Chondrichthyes : Carcharhiniformes : Scyliorhinidae)

Apristurus albisoma is described from New Caledonia at depths ranging from 935 to 1,564 m. The description is based on 21 type specimens, which includ e immature and mature males and females, ranging from 328 to 596 mm in tota l length. This new species is distinguishable from other species of the gen us by the following characters: small eyes and wide interorbital region; th e latter being 2.7-3.6 times eye diameter; first dorsal fin originating abo ve middle of pelvic-fin base; second dorsal-fin axil before anal-fin axil; upper labial furrows equal to, or shorter than lower furrows; overlapping t ricuspid dermal denticles; 6-10 spiral valves; continuous supraorbital sens ory canal; body whitish.