New Finds of Chimaeras (Holocephali: Chimaeriformes) in the Region of the Emperor Seamount Chain (Northern Pacific Ocean).

New finds of Chimaera owstoni and Hydrolagus purpurescens in the region of the Emperor Seamount Chain have been reported based on materials collected in summer 2009. Both species have proven to be rare with respect to the frequency of occurrence. Ch. owstoni was recorded only in Koko Seamount in longline catches at depths of 385–650 m. H. purpurescens was caught on the Jingu, Ojin, Lira, and Koko seamounts in the depth range of 559–1056 m. The TL of the captured individuals of Ch. owstoni was 67–84 cm and their weight was 1.04–3.38 kg; H. purpurescens was represented by larger specimens: 98–145 cm and 4.51–17.45 kg, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]